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The Healing Sky Garden©
The Healing Sky Garden© is a powerfully visual glass sculpture comprising a cluster of glass orchids, a healing skyway made up of crystal flowers, clear glass baubles and coloured glass discs, and an amber moon with a stylised phoenix rising.
Measuring an impressive 14m x 6m x 5m and suspended in mid-air in the Tan Tock Seng Hospital atrium, the glass artwork captures light from the skylight during the day and will be illuminated by lights at night.
Portraying elements of rich traditional Chinese cultural symbolism infused with the energetic forward-looking ideas of young Singaporean artists-designers, “The Healing Sky Garden” offers fitting testimony to the quietly tenacious spirit of the hospital’s founder and early Singapore pioneer, Mr Tan Tock Seng.
The Inspiration
Yue Que Fang Yuan
Hua Xie Yin Guo
The design of The Healing Sky Garden• was inspired by the above Chinese phrases. Its literal translation is:
Its moving message to all who enjoy sanctuary within its integrated space, however brief, is that life can be an interesting, colourful journey full of hope and renewal, energy and light; it is a gentle, inspiring reminder that for every individual, healing and transformation towards strength, wisdom and wholeness is always possible.
Why Orchids?
Orchids are one of the traditional flowers in China, known for its sweet smell. There’s an old Chinese saying which goes:
Lan Zhi Xiang, Gai Yi Guo which means “the fragrance of an orchid can enshroud an entire country”.
They are evergreen, tough and resilient. They reach for the sun by clinging onto tall trees for support, and in this context of healing, TTSH will be the care-giver and support. Mutualism. The trees benefit from the beautiful frangrant flowers donning their trunks which also attract pollinators.
The orchid is also known to possess the four attributes of purity of colour, scent, style and lasting appeal, making it the epitome of nobility.
In ancient China, it is highly honoured and revered as the “gentleman of all flowers”, and what better way to honour the founder of Tan Tock Seng Hospital than with a cluster of glass orchids clear and noble.
Why the Crystal Flowers, Clear Baubles & Coloured Discs?
These elements form the ‘healing skyway’ and represent the healing path or flow of positive energy.
Crystals are believed to be able to harness good energy or ‘qi’, augmented by the air and life in the clear baubles. The discs are transparent coloured glass and add to the healing process through colour and light therapy.
Why the Moon & the Phoenix?
The moon symbolises the hope of being whole again. The phoenix is depicted as taking flight and rising from the ashes so to speak and symbolises rebirth and a new chance at life.
>> Introduction
>> Let there be light & life
>> Quotes from patients, staff & visitors
>> Research Paper
>> Launch pictures
>> Technical specs of artwork
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