One of the things I love most about creating murals is the opportunity to completely change how a space feels. This recent project for GMHBA’s new South Barwon Medical Clinic is a perfect example of that.
The two GP consultation rooms and staff room, looked out onto plain grey concrete retaining walls. While the clinic itself was being transformed into a beautiful, welcoming healthcare space, the view from these rooms still felt cold and uninspiring. The brief was simple: create a calming outlook that reflected GMHBA's brand colours while drawing inspiration from the ocean.
It was a brief that was quite different from my usual work.
If you've followed my art for a while, you'll know I have a soft spot for bold colours (and especially pink!). So stepping away from my usual vibrant palette definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone. But that's one of the things I enjoy most about commissioned work, it encourages me to explore ideas and colour combinations I may never have chosen on my own.
Working closely with the GMHBA team throughout the clinic fit-out, we discussed everything from flooring and wall colours to the overall atmosphere they wanted patients to experience. Rather than the murals being an afterthought, they became part of the wider interior design, helping create a cohesive and calming environment.
The final concept features soft coastal landscapes inspired by the ocean. Instead of looking out onto stark concrete, patients and staff are now greeted with peaceful seascapes designed to bring a small moment of calm during what can sometimes be a stressful visit.
Healthcare environments can have such an impact on how people feel. While a mural can't make an appointment disappear, I hope these artworks offer a gentle distraction, a calming view, and perhaps even a moment to pause and breathe.
Seeing the clinic come together from an empty shell to a finished space has been incredibly rewarding, and it's always special when artwork becomes part of an environment that people will experience every day.
A huge thank you to Meg Rayner, Joanne Lytas and the entire GMHBA team for including me with this project, and to Lauren Spolding for capturing the finished murals so beautifully.
It's not every day I leave the pink spray paint at home, but I'm so glad I did for this one.
