Tree of Life
Artist:
Joseph McNally
Patron:
Singapore General Hospital
First Placed in Singapore:
1995
Current Location:
Singapore General Hospital central courtyard - Add new comment
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Comments
Tree of life: A celebration of life : lived without regrets
It is interesting piece of work but the greatest pity of all is that there is no explanation nor description of the art piece. it falls on blind eyes as the crowd at the general hospital seem dead to the art piece that stands before them . It truly seems a great shame to all the effort that all the artists in singapore
have put into bringing arts to people here: only to be forgotten as just another piece of junk
Tree of Life
This sculpture was done by Brother Joseph Mcnally, from his ""Tree of Life"" series. His characteristic Celtic spiral motifs are evident here.
Looking at the larger issue, a significant number of public art in Singapore do not have proper attribution, which includes the name of the artist. That's a pity because the work just becomes an anonymous piece of art, serving as mere decoration. I agree with Peter that we do not need to see the label to help us appreciate the work although it helps on occasions when the piece is too esoteric or abstract. The bigger issue is that some of the works-and I dare say the majority, like this one at GH-are placed out of context to their environment or locality. Because of this, the significance and intention of the work become lost.
Jeffrey Say
Tree Of Life
A fair, fine piece of decorative public art. Maybe this sculpture serves to motivate the patients in the hospital? A little simple though, but it looks on just great! It's relatively appropriate, still. Nice.
Eloquently put
"Falling on blind eyes" is the fate of much public sculpture! And you raise an interesting question. Will an explanation or description of the work mean that the piece is more appreciated? (There is a small label on the plinth). What are the other factors that determine how the work is received? My guess is that the work is not so easy to appreciate against the background of the glass windows of the food court. It's been awhile since I've been, but it looks a busy and awkward setting.