Arts for Health MK Volunteers Laura & Sue 
‘Figure with Bird’ by Anthony Abrahams

In the next instalment of our Twenty for Twenty series, we ask Arts for Health MK volunteers Laura de Sherbinin and Sue Norman to select an artwork.

Which work in The Collection have you chosen to talk about?

Anthony Abraham’s bronze sculpture, ‘Figure with Bird’.

When and how did you first see it?

Working together to choose a piece that we both were drawn to we visited the online gallery and looked at all the artwork shown there. Following our choice, a visit to the hospital was made to see the sculpture face to face.   

What first interested or attracted you to this artwork?

Given the great variety of artwork in the online gallery, we had varying views about two dimensional pieces but both of us liked the sculptures. From there it was a quick jump to the ‘Figure with Bird’. It's simple shape and theme exude a nurturing quality which appealed to us both.

Do you remember how seeing this work made you feel?

The setting at the entrance to the Forget-me-not Memory Garden is lovely and poignant. The figure with the bird brings a sense of peace and comfort. The gaze of the girl and her connection with the bird reflect care and protection and evoke a sense of calm.  Parents and family entering the garden will remember the moments of nurture they had with their baby before it ‘flew away.’ 

In general, what kind of impact do you think seeing art at MKUH has on your experience of being on the hospital site?

Our experiences of seeing the art at MKUH are similar in that we value its calming quality, offering visual stimulation and allowing reflection where people otherwise might feel distress.  In Sue’s words, ‘The first time I recall a piece of artwork was about ten years ago when my husband needed emergency surgery, and I found myself sitting in the dark in one of the wards waiting rooms. Opposite me was a long picture of tall tree trunks in a line. For five hours I focussed on these trees, strong and sturdy, anchored firmly in the soil. As the morning sunlight filtered through the window on them it gave me comfort and hope that all would be well.’  

Contributors: Laura and Sue 
Laura and Sue are volunteers for Arts for Health MK’s current programme of activities, which includes our weekly Art Group in Wolverton. Our volunteers provide invaluable support to our participants and associate artists at workshops in the community.  You can find out more about our current volunteering opportunities here: Volunteer with us - Arts for Health Milton Keynes.