Organ donor memorial at The Royal London Hospital
Artist Saad Qureshi is creating an organ donor memorial this year at The Royal London Hospital, funded by Barts Charity.
The memorial will offer a place for reflection and help raise awareness about organ donation.
The bespoke piece of art, commissioned by Vital Arts, the Trust's in-house Arts and Wellbeing Service, will weave together stories shared by donor families and transplant recipients, in memory of those who saved the lives of others at the end of theirs.
Saad will translate their stories into the piece, which will be displayed by the main entrance at The Royal London Hospital, visible 24/7 from outside the building, as well as from within.
What made you decide to become an artist?
“There was not ever a decision that I consciously made to become an artist. It was always there. I come from a family of makers, and I think it was just my calling to become an artist.”
What themes does your work explore?
“The reoccurring themes that keep cropping up in my work are time, memory and landscape, and the ideas of storytelling, which is a big one.”
You have worked on some major public artworks and exhibitions. Please tell us about your most preferred project?
“Places for NOVA, my first ever public art commission. It allowed me to be a storyteller. I invited the general public to donate memories of fragments of landscape that they no longer had access to or whether with time, the place had evolved into something else. Then those verbalisations were reimagined into sculptural pieces. I was able to retell and develop that sort of visual language of storytelling in my work.”
What is the significance of this piece to you?
“It is people themselves because there is going to be a long period of research where I will be speaking to the donor families and recipients. It is those conversations inspiring the artwork.”
Can you tell me how stories of organ donation will feed into the memorial?
“The first stage is hearing their story. Sometimes even during the conversation, something is immediately triggered, and an image presents itself. There are other times that I have to listen back to the interview and see which element I can then translate into the artwork.
“But then the stories themselves, they are for me to be inspired by. The artwork needs to take a life of its own. If I start sharing individual stories, then it becomes locked into that one narrative, where I think the artwork has the potential to be anything.”
Has there been a story of someone you have spoken to so far that stood out to you?
“It is not always the full story from start to the end that has to inspire me. Maybe they just said a phrase and it is that emotion I am interested in.”
How will your art work help people understand the importance of organ donation?
“It is always difficult to predict how it will be received. I am hoping is that it will start a conversation.”
Who would you say has inspired you the most for this project?
“It is the very idea behind organ donation. I think that there is a lot of beauty and poetics in this gift of life that I am fascinated by. You are gifting a life to somebody, you are giving the other person another chance to live on.”
Can you talk about your collaboration with Vital Arts?
“It has been a very happy collaboration. I think that the best thing is the fact that they really know how to give the freedom to the artist.”
Is there anything final you would like to say to the hard working staff and families at Barts Health hospitals about this project?
“Just the absolute phenomenal work that everybody is doing. They really need to know that they are changing lives out there. I hope that this this work is a little thank you for them.
“To kickstart things. We are going to be having two events on the 14 and 17 November at The Royal London Hospital. If you would like to take part in the project, please do stop by and share your stories. I hope to see you there.”
Event Details:
Royal London Hospital, E1 1FR Renal Entrance
Monday 14 November:
12pm-1pm: Reception and Speeches
1pm - 4pm: Share your stories with commissioned artist Saad Qureshi and help shape the outcome of this very special artwork, funded by Barts Charity.
Thursday 17 November:
12pm - 3pm: Speak to the artist. Saad will be there to hear your stories and experiences relating to organ donation.
Let us know if you can attend either date. Please RSVP to Lisa Wilson