Damien Hurst was inspired by the conception of birth when he decided to create his open-air installation, named The Miraculous Journey, at the Sidra Medicine Hospital, officially opened this week in the capital Doha.
Patients visiting a £6bn hospital in Qatar are being greeted by 14 giant bronze sculptures by Damien Hirst graphically charting the moment of conception to birth.
The Miraculous Journey- the name of an open-air Qatar installation- starts with one sculpture showing a foetus growing in the womb, and each sculpture shows the progression of pregnancy, ending with a 14-metre naked baby just after birth.
The work is the centrepiece of an impressive modern art collection at the Sidra Medicine Hospital, officially opened this week in the capital Doha.
“We believe it reflects very much the mission of Sidra, taking care of the healthcare of women and babies,” said Layla Ibrahim Bacha, art specialist with the government-supported Qatar Foundation, which owns most of the artwork.
Qatar hospital is proud by the cooperation with Damien Hurst
In fact, the giant Hurst’s sculptures were originally unveiled in October 2013 but then covered from public view until recent weeks following an outcry on social media. After five years, the society has changed, the time flew, and the originality of Damien’s sculptures became evident. In 2018, the official reason was to protect them from building work at the hospital.
Health authorities at a hospital in Qatar are braced for an outcry after unveiling 14 giant bronze sculptures by British artist Damien Hirst that graphically chart the voyage from conception to birth.
The vast open-air installation greets patients arriving at the $8bn Sidra medicine hospital and is the centrepiece of a modern art collection that officially opened this week in Doha. Named The Miraculous Journey, it shows a foetus growing in the womb and culminates with a 14-metre newborn. The hospital officials said the installation is just perfect for the location, as doctors can see a lot of people are taking pictures. “I think it’s becoming iconic,” Layla Ibrahim Bacha added.
