Grown from Away

Grown from Away, is a large-scale sustainability and educational art installation created for the K Wing entrance of Sunnybrook's Veterans Centre, where it connects with the Peter Cipriano Centre for Seniors Health at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto. The installation is led and co-designed by Monica Polo and Narishdath Maraj of mpolo designs inc.

 

The installation incorporates a wide range of diverted hospital materials, including polypropylene sterilization wraps and medical gowns, hospital textiles, plastics, medical tubing, upholstery materials, food-service packaging, prosthetic materials, computer cables, and wiring.

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These materials are being transformed into a permanent artwork that reflects the landscapes and gardens surrounding Sunnybrook while asking a larger question: where is “away”?

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The project celebrates the work of Sunnybrook's Green Task Force and creates an opportunity for patients, staff, veterans, families, and visitors to encounter waste differently within the hospital environment. Through material transformation and storytelling, Grown From Away connects sustainability with creativity, education, well-being, and the everyday choices that shape our relationship with waste.​​

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It is funded in part by a Mitacs grant to support research through the Environmental Applied Science and Management (ENSCIMAN) Master’s program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

 

The project is supported by a broad network of collaborators, with mpolo designs inc. leading the design, fabrication and installation. The Sunnybrook Green Task Force guides the integration of the artwork into the hospital space. TMU, Seneca College and OCAD University student interns contributed to initial research, and design development. TMU’s FZ, and DFZ provided fabrication support. Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service Toronto and Keilhauer contributed funding and material support. The Ontario Science Centre provided installation guidance.