Artists announced for Frankston Hospital redevelopment

Four Australian artists have been commissioned to deliver major art pieces for the bigger, better Frankston Hospital.

Artists Richard Briggs, Dan Elborne, Jody Rallah and Hannah Quinlivan will create artworks under the theme ‘Healing Country, Healing People.’ Their pieces will reflect the strong connection between land, culture, and wellbeing.

The pieces will explore the local environment of Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. They will draw from native ecosystems such as Port Phillip Bay’s kelp forests, the Carrum Carrum wetlands, and the coast banksia.

These original pieces will help make Frankston Hospital a calm and welcoming place for patients, carers, staff and visitors.

The finished artworks will start to be unveiled as the redevelopment nears completion, which is on track for the end of 2025.

The artists and their vision

• Richard Briggs will design a large-scale line drawing titled ‘Flourishing Forest’. His drawing will capture the kelp forests of Port Phillip Bay that support life underwater. Kelp forests hold entire marine communities together, from the smallest snail to the largest whale. This piece will reflect that story of strength.
• Visual artist, Dan Elborne, will create ‘The Pillar’, a 3.6-metre-high sculpture standing at the main entrance. It will include handmade clay pieces shaped by members of the community. Each ceramic piece will be meaningfully unique. ‘The Pillar’ represents a deep connection to community and Boonwurrung/Bunurong land.
• Jody Rallah is a multidisciplinary Yuggera-Yugggerabul/Biri-Bindal artist. She will create original metallic inlays. The 'Yarning Circle’ will draw inspiration from the life cycle and migration of short-finned eels (daaagan/ilk), and coastal banksia. These eels swim in Kananook Creek and change throughout their lifecycle. This journey teaches us about resilience and transformation in the face of any obstacle.
• Hannah Quinlivan works with a variety of mediums. She will design a mural and sculpture inspired by the creeks and riverbeds of the Carrum Carrum wetlands. The ‘Whispers of the Wetland’ mural will invite viewers to reflect on our connection to our surroundings and the relationship between healing body and Country.

Community members invited to leave their mark

As part of their pieces, Richard Briggs and Dan Elborne are inviting Frankston and Mornington Peninsula community members to take part in hands-on workshops later this month.

Shape small pieces of clay for Dan Elborne’s ‘The Pillar’, a sculpture that will take pride of place at the hospital’s main entrance. A copy of the piece will be gifted to participants.

Learn how local organisations are helping protect the kelp forests of Mornington Peninsula and share your experiences of the local area as part of Richard Briggs’ piece, ‘Flourishing Forest’.

If you are a member of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula community and would like to take part in these workshops, visit the T Projects website for more information or email victoria@tprojects.co to register your interest. Please note that places are limited.

Learn more about the Frankston Hospital redevelopment.