Celebrating Culture and Wellness on Día de Salud!
By Makenzie McNeill
UNM Hospital’s Critical Care Tower to Showcase Local Artists’ Work
The burgeoning Critical Care Tower (CCT) at The University of New Mexico Hospital will be home to more than just cutting-edge technology and innovative health care spaces.
More than 100 pieces of unique artwork will be on display in the nine-level facility, made possible through a $1.5 million grant from the state of New Mexico’s public art fund.
UNM Hospital leaders are excited to unveil the exceptional prints, paintings, photographs, mixed media and sculptures to the community when the CCT debuts.
Art is very important to New Mexicans, from the religious art of northern New Mexico to Native American jewelry. People will be reminded of that when they come to the tower.
“Art is very important to New Mexicans, from the religious art of northern New Mexico to Native American jewelry,” said Fabián Armijo, executive director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at UNM Hospital. “People will be reminded of that when they come to the tower.”
Choosing the artwork for the CCT was a meticulous process that lasted several months. The art selection committee, which included many hospital employees, had five catalogs of vetted public art to examine – New Mexico only, American Southwest, Western and Central U.S., Native and Indigenous, and BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color).
Daniel Brown “Pueblo Mountain”
Brian Stinson “Rio Grande Reflections III”
Diego Romero “Asi Que Va”
Martin Pavletich “High Plains Tempest”
Joanna James “Long Journey Home”
Kevin Black “Contemplation”
Julianne Kirwin “Maria Martinez, Francisco Toledo with Xoloitzcuintli”
Laura Ballieh “Red Truck in Dixon Orchard”
Martin Montoya “Pueblo Del Norte”
Sean Rising Sun Flanagan “Kokorunner”
Travis Black “chirp375 PzzaBns”
Sandy Johnson, RA, health care facilities planner at UNM Hospital, served on the committee and brought her experience as an architect to the table.
“When you come inside the CCT, you will see that we made a concerted effort to be diverse with our selections, including where they would go inside the tower,” she said. “We want to provide a broad spectrum of artwork that represents our communities and cultures, and helps create a sense of place for everyone.”
In addition to considering the cultural impact of the artwork, the committee also measured the emotional effect of the pieces, as well.
We wanted to focus on work that was welcoming and uplifting because, more often than not, when you find yourself at the hospital it's not necessarily under the best circumstances. We tried to select pieces that had brighter colors and inspiring messages.
“We wanted to focus on work that was welcoming and uplifting because, more often than not, when you find yourself at the hospital it's not necessarily under the best circumstances,” Johnson said. “So, we tried to select pieces that had brighter colors and inspiring messages.”
After countless hours and discussions, the art committee ultimately selected 109 distinct paintings and sculptures to showcase in the state-of-the-art facility.
From artwork that highlights the natural beauty of rural New Mexico to abstract and thought-provoking murals, patients and staff will have a diverse array of work to admire as they journey through the CCT.
Additionally, the CCT will feature three pocket galleries, small alcoves where pieces of art will be on rotation throughout the year.
The first gallery will be on Level 1 next to the main public elevators, the second on Level 2 across from the café, and the third also on Level 2, next to the main public elevators. Each of these spaces is part of the tower’s concourse, which stretches along the south side of the building.
The idea behind the pocket galleries is not only to create a serene environment for people to rest and reflect, but also to highlight the work of local New Mexican artists.
“The pocket galleries will be a wonderful platform for these New Mexico artists to shine while also bringing some tranquility to people as they visit our hospital,” Johnson said.
The beauty and power of artist is limitless, especially for New Mexicans who have been creating unique and exquisite art for centuries. UNM Hospital employees hope that every painting and sculpture in the CCT will reflect the rich cultural heritage that all New Mexicans share.
“People will see that the pieces of art in the CCT mirror the diversity of New Mexico,” Armijo said. “There are so many cultures represented. Whoever you are and wherever you are from, you will see something that feels like home to you.”
Click here to learn more about the hospital expansion.