Sean Hennessey

Sean Hennessey, The Hope of Healing    Glass, metal LED lights  2013

The Hope of Healing was inspired by the belief that imagination and hope can transform lives.
I often use light-bulbs in my work. Sometimes as a symbol of hope, sometimes of a greater power, always a symbol of the vast potential that everyone possesses.

When the opportunity came up to create a piece of art for the Aquilino Cancer Center I immediately thought of this imagery. The hand holding the light-bulb on a string has the feeling of a flower in bloom, or a floating balloon. Beautiful and uplifting things. But that it is a light-bulb floating in the sky on a cord, it defies logic. It is the power of belief overcoming physics. To add to this imagery I wanted to create a narrative in the work, something that felt transformational. The progression of a yellow light-bulb, to an orange light-bulb, to a symbol of healing- a red apple felt like a beautiful metaphor of the healing that will happen in this center. I wanted to create a piece that would inspire others and to help nurture the hope of healing.

This work of art was made possible by a grant from the Abba Blum Foundation.