Research at Cork University Maternity Hospital

The Amulet research project was led by artist Marie Brett in partnership with Ballyphane/Togher Art + Craft Initiative and was based at Cork University Maternity Hospital. Staff, patients and visitors participated in the research, which took place between 2009 and 2011.

The research had two main aims: To explore the idea of an amulet keepsake for expectant mothers/babies in the maternity hospital context, plus secondly, to explore the site of the maternity hospital as a place of significance for mothers/families and how this is, or perhaps could be, marked.

Hospital staff, patients and visitors engaged directly with the research through discursive meetings and hands-on workshops held in the hospital premises.

Throughout the two year research phase, the artist Marie Brett was mentor to BTACI members Nancy Falvey and Bernice Jones.

The artist also undertook considerable parallel research at a variety of organisations and institutions in Ireland and the UK.

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