Public asked to help choose hospital artist

The artwork will be outside the new BEACH building

The public has been asked to help choose who will create a piece of artwork at the entrance of a new hospital building.

The Birth, Emergency, Critical Care and Children's Health (BEACH) building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital in Dorset will include a purpose-built maternity unit, children's unit and an enhanced emergency department.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust is trying to decide which of three shortlisted artists to commission.

Arts manager Laura Joy said the trust wanted to hear people's opinions, adding: "It's a piece of art that belongs to everybody."

One of the shortlisted artists, Michael Condron, previously designed a sculpture for Aintree Hospital in Liverpool

The new BEACH building is expected to open to the public in spring 2025.

Ms Joy said she hoped the new building would welcome people and improve patient experiences, and could even improve health outcomes.

It would "really improve the care in the local area" - and the artwork, which is part of a wider art strategy, would help that, she said.

"It's well understood and proven that art in hospital buildings does improve the healing process and improve the experience for people.

"There's a lot of hospitals that have had an... art project for years, and it's really exciting that we're now joining in with that understanding that art is part of a wider understanding of health."

Cath Campbell's art is on display at Cambridge University

Three artists have been shortlisted for the commission - Michael Condron, Cath Campbell, and Orakel.

Mr Condron, who has previously designed gateway sculptures for Poole, has promised a "striking" piece of art that would be "immediately accessible to a diverse demographic".

Ms Campbell, whose artwork is on display across the country including at Cambridge University, said her idea would use the idea of patterns on the surface of a lake and give the impression that "the surface of the building itself has become liquid".

Orakel, who has designed artwork for several hospitals, including a mental health clinic in Essex, promised a piece of art taking inspiration from the local landscape.

The poll is open until Monday 22 July at 09:00 BST.

Orakel designed the graphics that adorn the lift shaft and balustrades at Brighton Station