British artist Damien Hirst has unveiled fourteen massive bronze sculptures on Monday at the Sidra Medicine Hospital in Qatar that graphically chart the voyage from conception to delivery.
£6bn Patients visit the hospital in Doha, Qatar are being greeted by the giant bronze sculptures and the huge open-air set up, named the Miraculous Journey, starts with one sculpture showing a feotus growing in the womb, and each sculpture shows the progression of pregnancy, ending with a 14ft naked baby just after birth.
The figures were initially divulged in October 2013 however then secured from public view until the point when last weeks following an objection via social media. The official reason was to shield them from building work at the hospital.
The reveal of the permanent installation on October 7th is followed by a nearly month long mystery, as the sculptures were each hidden under a giant white balloons until the official unveiling.
However, the sculptures are a symbol of impressive modern art collection in Qatar that may be the envy of many galleries across the world. The art was choosen with very specific themes.
“We believe it reflects very much the mission of Sidra, taking care of the healthcare of women and babies,” saying this Layla Ibrahim Bacha added “I think it’s perfect for the location, as you can see a lot of people are taking pictures, I think it’s becoming iconic.”
“This is why they are there to actually create this element of debate, this element of thinking.”
As one of the most progressive states in the region Qatar has become a major buyer of contemporary art as it seeks to portray itself.
> Puza Sarker Snigdha
