Dedication Of The Beautiful "Healing Waters" Sculpture By Boston's Mark Davis At Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago

Tomorrow, Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago will be dedicating a large-scale sculpture, “Healing Waters,” by Boston-based artist Mark Davis (represented by the Pucker Gallery).

The recently opened Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is likely one of the most art-focused hospitals in the US. The interior features the involvement of many cultural institutions, including the Art Institute, Lookingglass Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet,  Chicago Symphony Orchestra and more. Each floor is decorated with a different  theme corresponding to these institutions, and reflective of  the hospital’s overall mission of healing through the arts. Standing below the giant whales in the lobby,  it’s clear this is not the average, sterile hospital.

On November 15, the importance of art to the Lurie Children’s Hospital will be brought outdoors through the dedication of a new sculpture over the driveway entrance.  “Healing Waters” by Boston-based Mark Davis is made of blue and green steel and carbon fiber molded plates with a rim of LED lights. Made possible through the generous support of Gigi and Michael Pucker of the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation, the piece represents the flowing movement of water and is intended to evoke a calming energy to children and parents arriving at the hospital. Davis is a South Bend native who is inspired by Alexander Calder and was heavily influenced by his time traveling to Chicago and touring the Art Institute.  “Healing Waters” is his largest work to date. 

The new piece has been installed and photographed with one of the donors,  Michael Pucker (of the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation) and the artist, Mark Davis. The official dedication is this Thursday at 6:30 pm, outside of the hospital with a small group of VIPs and hospital employees. They will have the sculpture professionally photographed (alone and with some of the hospital’s children) by the end of the week.