The Illustrations of Jane Reiseger
The Art of Distraction
At Melbourne Design Week 2021, The Art of Distraction celebrated the transformative role of art in healthcare design.
Hosted within the Bates Smart Gallery, the exhibition spotlighted the whimsical and healing illustrations of Jane Reiseger, whose work enlivens The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
The gallery was curated as an immersive, layered experience that revealed Reiseger’s creative process—featuring original sketches, personal objects, and visual storytelling inspired by Victorian landscapes. From underwater themes to treetop walks, the exhibition traced how her joyful imagery was translated into eight key environmental themes throughout the hospital.
Studio Director Mark Healey, who collaborated with Reiseger during the hospital’s $1 billion redevelopment, shared how the project emerged from the challenges of 2020 to offer a model for creating compassionate, supportive spaces in uncertain times.
Mark Healey
Director, Bates Smart
Reiseger’s art—playful, nature-infused, and emotionally resonant—forms an essential part of the hospital’s wayfinding and clinical environments. Her intuitive ability to connect across all ages ensures the artwork does more than distract; it uplifts, soothes, and fosters recovery. The display also included a red enamel pot once belonging to Reiseger’s grandmother, echoing the personal roots that influence her work.
Attendees were invited to experience the installation either in person or through a fully immersive digital platform, reflecting Bates Smart’s commitment to accessible, design-led storytelling.
We thank all who visited the exhibition and contributed to its success, and extend our gratitude to the collaborators who helped bring this vision to life.
Details
Sectors
Year
2020