“Colour has a huge impact on how a person experiences a space. I want this artwork to resonate with everyone that enters our Emergency. I want to leave a positive and lasting mark on them,” says Jessy Ho.

Earlier this year, Jessy was tasked with creating a colourful mural of the Hamilton skyline on the walls of St. Joe’s Emergency Department (ED) entrance.

As a member of the Redevelopment team at St. Joe’s, Jessy designs spaces to meet the needs of patients, visitors and staff. These projects usually involve construction work you typically think of when it comes to renovations, such as replacing flooring, knocking down and putting up walls, or adding new furniture and equipment.

“This was a unique opportunity to marry art and architecture. I was allowed to just run free with my creativity,” explains Jessy, who has been creating visual art since he had one of his first paintings displayed in a gallery at the age of seven.

The mural was a different kind of project than what he usually works on but just like changing the layout of a clinical unit, the mural was carefully planned and executed to enhance the experience of those who work, visit and are cared for at St. Joe’s.

“For many patients, the Emergency Entrance is the first physical space they interact with at our hospital. This can be very stressful for them and it’s important that we try to make them feel as comfortable as possible,” says Cory Fraser, Nurse Manager, ED. “Having an inviting environment makes a huge difference. The mural has brought more light and colour into the entrance, completely transforming the space and improving the experience of patients arriving at Emergency.”

Jessy chose to depict the Hamilton skyline in the mural with symbolism designed to both represent St. Joe’s and our community, and to help inspire and uplift anyone who comes through the doors of the ED.

He says, “St. Joe’s is such a big part of the Hamilton community and I wanted to pay homage to that. I included the Skyway Bridge specifically because bridges symbolize stability, overcoming obstacles, and connections from one destination to another – just as St. Joe’s helps our patients overcome illnesses or trauma.”

He also included doves throughout the scene, which represent peace, freedom and healing.

What visitors will probably notice right away though is the bright colours used to create the images.

“Colour has the ability to change the mood you feel when you walk into a space and it helps the entrance feel more inviting. I actually used 50-60 different colours in various shades and incorporated different geometric shapes in the design because I also wanted the mural to represent inclusivity and the diversity of Hamilton and the St. Joe’s community. People of all walks of life with different views and experiences all come through the Emergency doors, but in the bigger picture, we fit together to create a beautiful mosaic.”

To ensure it remains vibrant and eye-catching for years to come, Jessy created the mural using heat pressed vinyl, which lasts longer than paint.

 “I wanted to make sure that in ten or fifteen years, the mural will continue to make an impact. That’s why I got into architecture in the first place. To me, it’s art that people can interact with and benefit from.” 

Do you know what iconic Hamilton buildings these are? From left-to-right:

• Olympia Apartments
• BDC Building
• Pigott Buildings
• St. Paul's Presbytarian
• Christ's Church
• Stelco Tower
• Jackson Square
• Landmark Place