Lithium, light and colour for the John Cade Ward.

Lithium, light and colour, 2025.

A painted mural commissioned for the John Cade Ward 1Nth, housed within the Royal Melbourne Hospital. 31.7m x 2.6m.

When I created the design for the John Cade 1Nth Ward mural, a few things were paramount from the beginning:

- The mural had to complement the architecture,
- The design had to have a flowing effect, where it could cover the expanse of the wall surface without feeling claustrophobic,
- The artwork had to make a point of bringing the outside in, ensuring that softness from nature was able to feature within the design.

Highlighting native floral species and injecting further colour into the design, broad leaf pea flowers and grevillea bring added texture to the detailed elements, sitting along.

Also featured are leucadendron blooms, abstracted wattle and eucalyptus species. The eucalyptus are presented in shades that show their interaction with light.

The mural was created to be read from right to left - where right is dawn, moving into day and then soft dusk at the other end on the far left. This is symbolic of seeking rest and restoration, where within the ward people can find a sense of calm.

The dots that feature, as well as creating movement along the wall, are coloured in honour of John Cade himself. Lithium starts as a pearlescent white and shifts to black when exposed to air. Again, reading the wall from right to left, these dots transition across the same colour tonality as lithium, marking the discovery and passion that is still instilled in the team who work within the ward.

Client: @theroyalmelbournehospital
Photography and project documentation: @nicasa
Paint: @reseneaustralia

Thank you too to all of the staff, patients and visitors who allowed us into their space for three weeks, it was an absolute pleasure painting this for you. And thank you to Michael, Deb and their wider teams for making this possible.