The following memories and stories about the Maitland Hospital emerged from background research, and from being shared by artists, staff, volunteers, patients and community members.
Collected Memory.
An overview of the Collected Memory Project and its outcomes in documenting, sharing and celebrating Maitland Hospital’s long history through art and displays in the new Maitland Hospital, an exhibition, this website and community engagement.
First matron.
Susan O’Doherty’s textile sculpture of Maitland Hospital’s first matron, Elizabeth Morrow, is the core of a display in the new Maitland Hospital about Morrow and what she represents in the history of nursing at the hospital and elsewhere.
Hospital staff.
Adrian Lockhart’s painting ‘Hospital staff’ and a small collection of items are displayed in the new Maitland Hospital in honour of the staff who, in their many and varied roles, have provided health care throughout the history of the hospital.
Distract and play.
An artwork by Anita Johnson and a 1950s photograph as reminders of creative ways to distract and entertain children in the hospital. The items are on display in the new Maitland Hospital.
Birthing at Maitland Hospital.
Lesley Salem’s creative response to stories of birthing at Maitland Hospital. Her painting can be viewed in the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Inspired by the people.
Art works by Adrian Lockhart inspired by the people who work and have worked at the Maitland Hospital. The art works are included in the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Working, caring, recovering, reflecting.
Catharine Neilson’s photographic portraits of people at the Maitland Hospital. Her photographic installation can be seen in the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Little things.
Catharine Neilson’s photographs of small details from around the Maitland Hospital. Her photographic installation can be seen in the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
It all takes place in the garden.
G.W. Bot’s responses to the hospital gardens and grounds expressed through sculptures and linocuts. Her art works are a part of the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Fragments of memory.
Peter Poulet’s abstract responses to memories shared by Maitland residents. His paintings can be seen in the front window of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery during the exhibition A Conspicuous Object.
First light last light.
Oliver Harlan translates photographs and memories of Maitland Hospital into a 3D video experience that can be seen and heard.
An archaeology of care.
Anita Johnson uses found objects to create artworks that talk to the care needed and offered in the hospital. Her installation was part of the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Stitched together.
Susan O’Doherty’s textile sculptures stitch together the stories of women working at The Maitland Hospital over time. Her sculptures are in the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Facelifts, rebuilds,additions and adaptions.
Peter O’Doherty’s paintings of details and perspectives of Maitland Hospital buildings and their interiors created for the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Hospital blue.
Portraits of medical and surgical instruments from the Maitland Hospital Collection created by artist Linda Greedy for the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Give … a cheerful atmosphere.
Some of the artworks that currently add colour and imagery to the hospital.
No separate children’s ward.
The different environments created for children at the hospital, ranging from no separate children’s ward to brightly coloured, dedicated spaces.
Maternity Nurse.
Introducing Susan O’Doherty’s soft sculpture representing motherhood and midwives at The Maitland Hospital.
Babies … came flying out of that shute!
Maitland residents’ memories of the maternity ward at Maitland Hospital.
A place for health.
Artworks in the hospital that connect to country and to the Wonnarua songlines that pass across and around the hospital site.