Air To Breathe

The sculpture for the University Hospital South Manchester Maternity Unit main entrance was unveiled on 8th May 2014. The project was commissioned and joint funded by Manchester Public Health Development Service and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to promote smoke free pregnancy. The sculpture was designed, fabricated and installed by Adrian Moakes & Siobhain Moakes. The sculpture is an airy, open structure encircling a foetal shape, signifying protection and growth. The inner shape features images created by participants from their own scan photos during workshops with the Artists across the Wythenshawe area. The wire models were then recreated by Adrian as individually hand-made steel sculptures that were intricately formed & welded together. Creative participation in the work has enabled local people to contribute to a long lasting tribute to healthy pregnancy. On 28th October 2014 the ‘Air To Breathe’ project was given a prestigious Health & Wellbeing Award by the Royal Society for Public Health in London, presented by Lord Patel of Bradford OBE. The RSPH commended the project “for its innovation, inclusion and demonstrable engagement with disadvantaged communities and external organisations.”