Swan name: Khaya
Artist: Little Magpie Art by Courtney Scott
Khaya the swan was designed and painted by Courtney Scott with a little help from daycare patients and team members on duty at the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Stoke Mandeville Hospital as part of their weekly art therapy sessions.
The name “Khaya” means ‘Home’ in the South African languages Zulu and Xhosa. This idea of home drives the imagery of this swan, on one side there are traditional British colours and flowers including Daffodils, Thistles, Shamrocks, and Roses. On the other side you will find traditional South African colours and flowers including King Proteas, Strelitzias (Bird of Paradise), Pincushions, Aloes, and African Lilies. On the wings, however, – which are usually symbolic of a sense of freedom, the respective countries’ national flowers are swapped over. This shows the merging of the two cultures and how both places have come to represent ‘home’ for Courtney, in different but beautiful ways.
Courtney is a South African born Fine artist who is living and working in Buckingham. Recently, she opened her commission-based art business called Little Magpie Art on Instagram, and she hopes to turn a life-long dream and passion for painting into her full-time job. Courtney hopes that this piece will reach beyond her own personal South African/British narrative and speak to all those individuals and families who have been embraced by communities across the UK and made the UK their home.
Sponsor: Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity is dedicated to ensuring that patients and families across Buckinghamshire have access to the best hospice care – wherever and whenever they need it, including right here in Buckingham. Our Community Nursing Team care for people in their own homes across North Buckinghamshire, helping them make the most of their final weeks and months with family and friends, surrounded by familiar things. And our Vintage and Retro Shop on Bridge Street is home to one of our Listening Rooms, where clients can talk to one of our trained volunteer Listeners about adjusting to the news of a life-limiting condition or bereavement.
We have been made to feel so welcome in the town since our shop opened, and by all those who have supported the charity over the years. Our local communities are so important to us as a charity and we feel honoured to be part of this great community project which we hope will help us raise awareness of the specialist, compassionate and individual care we can offer those patients and families who need us.