A mural for organ donation
BA Fine Art students at Chelsea College of Arts create a mural following a commission from the King's College Hospital Organ Donation Committee.
The brief
The KCH Organ Donation Committee commissioned University of the Arts London (UAL), to design a memorial which would recognise the role of organ donors, their families and hospital staff in organ donation and would be placed at their Denmark Hill site.
The project
Following 6 submissions from Year 2 and Year 3 BA Fine Art students at Chelsea College of Arts, a design was chosen that best reflects the hope that many organ donor families cite when explaining why they agreed for their loved ones to become organ donors. The memorial was officially unveiled on 31 May 2024.
The Outcome
Over the course of 9 months, the participating students spoke to organ donor families, transplant recipients and KCH staff involved in organ donation and transplantation to learn more about organ donation and the complex feelings involved.
The chosen design is entitled ‘The Gift of Life’ and was designed by Chelsea College of Arts BA Fine Art students Maria Alejandra Clemente Arguelles, Damin Choi, Elizabeth O’Farrelly and Anita Karklina. Its central theme is that ‘every day is precious’. The design puts organ donation into the context of organ transplantation, showing the difference organ donation makes to those waiting for a life-saving transplant. The design also acknowledges the local area, with landmarks such as the Ruskin Park bandstand, the Wyndham Estate and Dulwich Hamlet football team, emphasising the integral role that King’s plays in its wider community.
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am proud of the efforts of all our staff, and I would also like to thank the talented students from Chelsea College of Arts who have created an incredibly thoughtful design highlighting the importance of organ donation.”
This Student sponsored project was organised by Graduate Futures. Would you like to be involved in a similar opportunity? Contact k.v.palmer@arts.ac.uk