"‘Etask’ ‘Extra Terrestrial Ambulance Service for Kids" by Peter Rooney
Owner: Royal Victoria Hospital Trust Location: Entrance to Royal Victoria Children’s Hospital, Belfast Title: ‘Etask’ ‘Extra Terrestrial Ambulance Service for Kids Artist: Peter Rooney Material: Stainless steel with reflective graphics and cold cathod lighting. Size: 5 metres in diameter. Funded by: Royal Victoria Hospital Trust and Lottery funded through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Background: The artist pursued the commission as a design project to reflect the location and context. He incorporated elements of interstellar ambience reflecting the night sky and ambulance signs. It is a children driven concept of the 21st century. The spaceship gives children a chance to use their imagination and perhaps distract them from their painful experience of visiting the hospital. Artists Details: Peter Rooney was born in Belfast in 1954. He received his BA from University of Ulster in silversmithing and jewellery and he then pursued postgraduate study in Applied Arts. He has been involved in a number of public commissions for Laganside Corporation including ‘Jigsaw,’ 2001 an indoor aluminium sculpture located in Royal Avenue. He also was commissioned by Derry City Council to create a stained glass window commemorating Bloody Sunday and this is located in the Guildhall, Derry. In August 1995 he created a ‘Peace Dove’ for Carlisle Circus, Belfast which has since been relocated. |
