Conduct Cumulus sculpture to Hillmorton Hospital

This Boost Ōtautahi project sets out SCAPE's kaupapa to permanently relocate the Conduct Cumulus public sculpture by Seung Yul Oh to Hillmorton Hospital grounds. This will be coupled with delivery of an outreach Art, Learning and Wellbeing programme of art making activities for this world class artwork by Seung Yul Oh.

What do you first notice about this public artwork? It’s yellow! Yellow is a colour associated with the sun. It symbolises optimism, energy, joy, happiness, and friendship. Sunshine, butter, daffodils and even a favourite song by Coldplay… Yeah, they were all yellow!

This community of oversized colourful yellow and white bubbles was commissioned by SCAPE and entirely funded by a private Trust. Once moved, it will be on permanent loan to Hillmorton Hospital.

When temporarily installed within the Arts Centre, we asked hundreds of respondents how it made them feel. The vast majority simply said HAPPY. Other answers were: “Amazed”    “Calm”      “Curious”      “Joyful”     “Creative”      “Warm”      “Happy and inspired”

These descriptions of feelings are important as they highlight the positive impact on the wellbeing of the young people that contact with the artwork.

Greg Hamilton, General Manager of Specialist Mental Health Services for Canterbury DHB with oversight for Hillmorton Hospital, is delighted to support SCAPE Public Art’s proposal to deliver an outreach and education programme for the Hillmorton Hospital community and visitors.

We believe the presence of the Conduct Cumulus artwork on-site plus the SCAPE Public Art Outreach programme would be a beneficial partnership engaging patients, staff, family and whanau at Hillmorton Hospital to encourage well-being and connection, in a mental health setting, whilst delivering an excellent accessible art activity education programme using a collaborative creative space.

The intention is to deliver the Conduct Cumulus education activities to the students of Southern Health Schools plus longer stay consumers on-site. The activities relate to the artwork and as part of the education module, a site visit will take place to touch and experience these joyful yellow sculptures.

Can you help us get the artwork there?

Our Art, Learning & Wellbeing programme addresses issues affecting the well-being of people in our community by creating opportunities to engage with activities allowing positive interaction and physical connections with artworks.

Thank you, Rātā Foundation, for your match funding 

Ka tipu te whaihanga Creativity will strengthen

SCAPE Team

Seung Yul Oh:
Born in Seoul, Korea in 1981, Seung Yul Oh moved to NZ 24 years ago and has MFA at Auckland's School of Fine Arts.