Playtime is a family of sculptural forms that are located in the Family Commons along Heather Street and 30th Avenue, creating an inviting public space along the Wellness Walkway at the BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre. As 'play-sculptures' that combine modernist sculpture, mid-century playground designs, and monochrome patterns, these sensuous organic forms will invite a more physical engagement than is normally allowed with public art, providing occasions for children, families, and staff to play. The vision of the artists is to engage audiences of all ages and abilities with the sculptures' tactile qualities and lift their spirits with their humour and playfulness, creating a transition zone between the everyday and the extraordinary.

Playtime is originally inspired by the 'play-sculptures' of English sculptor John Bridgeman (1916-2004) and Danish architect and sculptor Egon Moller-Nielsen (1915-1959), the work of Henry Moore, and two female artists, Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) and Bridget Riley (1931-present), all of whom were producing works around the same time.

Our vision for this public art project focused on the idea that 'playtime" is itself a transition zone between the everyday and the extraordinary. Our goal was to develop a collection of works that the children, families, staff and general public could play with as part of the Wellness Walkway. Playtime encourages a more physical engagement with the work than is normally allowed with public art and was the core concept in the development of these works. Our hope is that what we have proposed will engage everybody through their tactile qualities and lift the spirits with their humour and playfulness.