“Salience” – an art exhibition in University Hospital Waterford

An exhibition currently running in University Hospital Waterford (UHW) features five paintings by a team member at the adjacent acute mental health inpatient unit in Waterford

Dr. Ryan Flavin, who is from Tramore and specialises in psychiatry, is the latest artist whose work features on “Staff Art Wall” in UHW.

An initiative of Waterford Healing Arts and situated prominently on the corridor leading from the foyer of the hospital towards all of its wards, the “Staff Art Wall” aims to celebrate the creativity of HSE colleagues.

Titled “Salience”, Dr. Flavin’s exhibit comprises of five abstract oil paintings and runs until the 11th of March.

Ryan Flavin previously worked as a doctor in Australia and travelled extensively throughout South America before returning to Ireland. Ryan joined the team at the Dept. of Psychiatry acute mental health inpatient unit last year.

Themes and influences present in Ryan’s five paintings on display in UHW include:

• “Latencia” – from the Spanish word reflecting a state of pause and quiet potential.
• “Arabian Spring” – reflecting calligraphy seen at Alahambra, an old Islamic fortress in Granada, Spain.
• “Recuerdo de un Sueño” – memory of a dream in the Amazonian rain forests.
• “Yūgen” – a Japanese concept for quiet, mystical awareness of the depth and beauty of nature and
• “Sundara” – derived from the Sanskrit word for beauty.

Dr. Vwoke Akpubi (Clinical Director), on behalf of his colleagues at the Dept. of Psychiatry, congratulated Dr. Flavin on his exhibition:

“We are delighted that these wonderful colours, in their creativity, brightness and stimulation, are on display, day and night for so many passing by – patients at, visitors to and staff in the hospital. Well done Waterford Healing Arts and well done Dr. Flavin!”