University Health SaludArte: Art of Healing Program
Phase 2 – Public Art
Proposal by Christopher James Kull
[All content was also submitted on PublicArtist.org]
March 14th 2025

wall hANGing ART

Hello University Health SaludArte: Art of Healing Program. I am submitting original artwork proposals for 2 of the site specific locations for this Phase 2 Public Art call. 
Retama Community Hospital, Public Art 2, 4’x4’ hanging wall piece. And the Palo Alto Community Hospital, Public Art 5, 4’x4’ hanging wall piece.

The theme for Phase II is Texas in Bloom. And the prompts that I am drawn to are Rivers, Healing, Connecting, Living, Flora, Fauna and Growth. Closing my eyes, and putting myself back in the hospital setting, I would want to see art with a story behind it. Giving the viewer room to imagine what is happening now, before and next. The hope is also that the viewer, the patient, the guest, the nurse… would want to see themselves or a loved one in this scene. Imagining something different each time their eyes pass by it.

In my concept painting Bicycles and a Journal In a Field, there is a field of grasses and flowers filled with many colors. Along with flowers being beautiful, they are also calming and result in the beginnings of a smile when encountered on a walk. Two bicycles are parked in the grass along with an open journal with a pencil resting on it. We can’t see what is in the bike’s basket. The painting has enough details that it could have many storylines weaving in and out of many timelines. Where are these 2 people now? Are they ok? Are they exploring nature? Are they having a picnic? Are they friends, or a couple, or relatives? Are they researching for a fantastic project to help understand the beauties of life?

For the next concept painting Longhorn Cow and Blue Jay In a Field, the main element is again a field of flowers and grasses with many colors. A Longhorn Cow is standing in this field along with a Blue Jay somewhat hidden on a rock, as they are looking in the general direction of each other. The scene leaves you to wonder, was the field just filled with many birds, or will more be landing? Are there more Longhorns just out of view or behind the trees? If you were in that field, would you hear the sounds of a breeze blowing through the grasses with an occasional bird song? Do the Longhorn and Blue Jay even notice each other? Has this been a ritual where they meet here at this time everyday?

Both of my submissions are 2’x2’ painting sketches developed for this University Health SaludArte: Art of Healing Phase 2 Public Art call. My artworks would be painted in a Fauvist, Expressionistic and Abstract style. These styles help leave the interpretation of the art open to each person, and open to many different personal meanings depending the mental state the viewer is in at the time.

Last year, when I first came across University Health’s SaludArte: Art of Healing Phase 1. I had no immediate connection to hospitals, and the artwork within them. I soon found out my Mom, who was a retired Nurse, had ovarian Cancer and she later passed away November 2024. I bring this up to point out that I do have, day after day week after week first hand experience of existing with artwork in various Hospital buildings. Sitting, walking, being in a building with a sick loved one, with terrible news and not a great path forward. The environment makes a difference. The building, the space, the Art makes a difference. If the hospital has open space to wander emotionally and physically, and somewhere to encounter great art. Then as a patient, you are given the mental opportunity to clearly think. To think about how to move forward with treatments, or if you should not. And if you are not the patient, these moments within the hospital can be profound opportunities to rethink the path your own life is on.