Nursing and midwifery leaders celebrated in sculpture at RCSI
A new sculpture by Northern Irish artist John Rainey has been unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.
The abstract work, which features nursing and midwifery leaders ascending a staircase, was commissioned by the Faculty to celebrate nursing and midwifery leadership in the 21st century. As part of the initiative to mark its 50th year, the Faculty Board commissioned John Rainey, to create a total of four sculptures in honour of inspiring nurses and midwives.
The previous three feature Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth O’Farrell and Dame Peta Taaffe, the first Chief Nursing Officer for Ireland.
The main concept behind Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth O’Farrell sculptures was historical nurse and midwife leaders. The third commission, of Dame Peta Taaffe, celebrated the Commission on Nursing and Midwifery chaired by Judge Mella Carroll and the subsequent legislation in the revised Nurses and Midwives Act 2011; the two main catalysts for major changes in nursing and midwifery.
This fourth and final piece represents the morphing of the sickness model with a modern wellness model from hospital teaching to university education. It is an abstract piece celebrating the many fearless nurse and midwife leaders of the past 10 years to the present day. It speaks to the themes of compassion, care and commitment.
Artist John Rainey was tasked with creating a work that reflects how these nursing and midwifery leaders have enhanced the profile of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery in RCSI, how they have transformed the professions of nursing and midwifery through their ambitious and international programmes of work and how they have enhanced societal wellbeing as pioneers of nursing and midwifery education in the developing world.
The RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Fellowship is the highest nursing and midwifery award in Ireland. This abstract piece reflects the procession, led by the Dean, to the platform in RCSI at the Fellowship and Membership awarding ceremony each year.
Speaking ahead of the event Mary Godfrey, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, said: "The purpose of this commission is to celebrate and raise the profile of key leaders in the nursing and midwifery in the 21st century. It honours individuals who have made a monumental contribution to the development of the professions. They have built on the core values of nursing and midwifery in Ireland – compassion, care and commitment – and have accelerated progress over the last decade."
Learn more about arts and cultural heritage at RCSI.
