‘A Slice of History’ opens at the Trafford Centre for St Ann’s Hospice
The installation will be on display at The Trafford Centre between 16th and 30th June. Funds raised from the installation and sale of the metal flowers will be donated to St Ann's Hospice
A special art installation – A Slice of History’ – created to celebrate the lives of a thousand local people will be unveiled at The Trafford Centre this week.
The ‘A Slice of History’ piece, which has been created as part of St Ann’s Hospice’s 50th anniversary celebrations, will see 1,000 metal forget-me-not flowers come together in a special birthday cake formation.
Manchester artist Lindi Kirwin has created the installation, which symbolises the hospice’s birthday, but also gatherings of friends and family together. It will also feature a special candle which lights up in celebration as donations are made.
Individuals from across Greater Manchester have been purchasing the crafted metal forget-me-not flowers which make up the display, and once the exhibition is over, will collect them to place in their own home, garden or place of remembrance in honour of someone special.
Rachel McMillan, chief executive of St Ann’s Hospice, said:
“Art and creativity have played a huge part in the care we’ve provided to patients and those closest to them over the last fifty years. The use of creative therapy is a great way for people to reflect and communicate their thoughts and feelings, with the supervision and guidance of a qualified therapist.
“Projects such as memory boxes, paintings, or crafts, can often be a way for patients to come together in groups to talk with other likeminded people, to hone their skills or take up a new hobby, and can also allow individuals to create amazing, unique pieces to share with their family and friends.
“Even during the pandemic, our teams have supported and provided patients with creative projects they could try at home, proving invaluable for some, especially during challenging periods of lockdown.
“It’s therefore fitting that we’re continuing our 50th anniversary celebrations with a very special creative project that we’re hoping people from across Greater Manchester and beyond will join us and be part of.”
The installation will be on display at The Trafford Centre between 16th and 30th June. Funds raised from the installation and sale of the metal flowers that it is created from will help the hospice to continue providing services such as creative therapies to patients.
Rachel McMilllan added:
“Lindi has chosen the installation’s title, ‘A Slice of History’, to recognise the fact that St Ann’s was one of the pioneering hospices in the UK. Manchester has a proud history of leading the way in lots of areas, and we’re incredibly proud of our place in the history of this amazing city.
“It’s incredibly moving to think what this installation will represent. A thousand lives remembered in the forget-me-nots which are used to create it, and many thousands more lives that we’ve been proud to be part of over the last fifty years too.”
The limited edition metal forget-me-nots which are used to create the birthday cake installation are available to purchase now, and supporters will be able to collect or be sent them after the installation so they can keep them in their garden or home.
Zoe Inman, Centre Director at The Trafford Centre, said:
“We’re proud to be supporting St Ann’s Hospice as one of our nominated Fountain Fund charities, and are excited to welcome them to the centre for their special 50th birthday celebrations, raising valuable funds in the process. We’re sure our community will wholeheartedly get behind this fantastic cause.”
*To find out more, or to purchase one of the special forget-me-not flowers, please visit www.sah.org.uk/buy-a-flower or call 0161 498 3631.
