Phoenix mosaic unveiled by local mayor at St Michael’s Hospital
A healing and beautiful phoenix mosaic, created by patients at St Michael's hospital over several years, has been unveiled by the Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Jackie D'Arcy.
Those on the hospital's Ferndale Ward gave the phoenix life during art therapy sessions, which aim to help patients create, reflect and express themselves.
Each piece of glass placed in the artwork is regarded as a testament to resilience, connection and the quiet power of collaboration.
The majestic creature now adorns the front of the hospital and will greet people as they walk into the hospital grounds.
Art Psychotherapist Cheryl Portlock said: This mosaic is more than just a beautiful piece of art. It is a metaphor - created from broken pieces of glass, it reflects the strength and spirit of those who have contributed to it: people who have lived through hard times, who have worked, raised families and faced personal challenges with great courage.
And just like the phoenix rising from the ashes this mosaic reminds us that from brokenness can come healing, transformation and beauty. In this phoenix, each artist involved leaves a piece of themselves, something real, something enduring for others to find hope in.
Mayor D'Arcy, who also opened St Michael's summer fete straight after unveiling the artwork, reflected that the phoenix was very appropriate for her theme of resilience.
After the mosaic was unveiled she said: I feel very honoured to be invited to open this year's summer's fete and the unveiling of the magnificent phoenix mosaic.
That was so poignant it resonated with why I chose resilience. It's a magnificent piece of art.
Thank you all for supporting St Michael's today and the wonderful work all the staff do for people in our community.
Art therapy is one of the services Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust provides and can help people to reconnect with who they are, re-build confidence, communicate and make sense of their internal experiences and support their overall mental health recovery.
To find out more about our Trust and the services it provides, visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk