100 Years of Care
Name of Building: Biggart Hospital
Location: Prestwick
Size: 5 x 968mm x 1500mm
Date of Installation: 2006
This window was made to commemorate the 100 Year Centenary of the Biggart Hospital. The design is based on the care given to all patients throughout the past 100 years. Biggart Hospital began in 1905 as a home for invalid children from Glasgow. The building was founded largely by Mr Alexander Love Biggart and his family. The hospital was used for short stays known as the “Fresh Air Fortnight”. Children from Glasgow would visit the hospital and benefit from a stay in the country with sunshine and fresh air, along with medical and nursing care and nourishing food. The Biggart continued to be a Children’s hospital until 1966. The design will display continual medical care, love, compassion and kindness that all nurses, doctors, staff and patients have given and received throughout those 100 years and to the future. The first part of my design concentrates on youth.
“ I plant a seed, nurture it, and then watch it grow.”
The care given to these children and helped them grow into healthy adults. The wheat within the design displays growth. The seasons of Spring and Summer reflect youth. The window includes various seeds and flowers that are in full bloom. The sun is at its full height and the flowers attract butterflies. The sea has lots of movement with crests of waves to show the vibrancy and uncertainty of youth.
The lines of circles represent the continual stream of patients. The circles are enclosed within a cocoon shape to represent the care that each one received. A row of crosses represent medical care and a row of hearts represent the continual love and care that was given without prejudice. These images run through all panels. The central design focuses on a heart with a medical cross in the centre. The sun gives warmth, light and guidance. The hands represent the work done by the hospital and all the lives that it has touched.
The panels on the right focus on the rehabilitation and patient care hospital. An oak tree symbolises the knowledge and inner strength that comes with age. The oak leaves fall to represent Autumn and the sun is setting. The Autumn leaves change to snow to represent Winter. This change of seasons represents the passage of time from youth to age. The sea is now still and this side of the design is altogether more peaceful and calm. This reflects the knowledge and understanding that comes with age.
“A nurse’s candle does not go out by night”
This quote reflects the endless care that the nurses and staff give to patients. They administrate skill, comfort, empathy and kindness with dignity and respect. The panel ends with 4 tall strong candles to represent light and warmth at all times.
“ I plant a seed, nurture it, and then watch it grow.”
Installed windows in Biggart Hospital
Details of acid etching
Details of acid etching
