Kieron Dyer praises Ipswich Hospital's new art installation

Kieron Dyer was the recipient of a liver transplant last September, after being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disease that attacks the bile ducts.

The 45-year-old called this transplant a second chance at life and has now taken to thank other organ donors while being a guest at the opening of an art installation at Ipswich Hospital's Critical Care Centre. 

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The former Ipswich and England footballer said that because of his transplant experience, he was happy to have been invited to this event. 

Kieron Dyer said he was happy to be a part of this event because of his experience of getting a liver transplant. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"This is a perfect representation of donations from families, recipients, and people that have, unfortunately, lost their lives," he added.

"One of the big things that my organ donation family said to me is that they see me as continuing the legacy of their loved one."

The installation, ‘The Heart of the Matter’, is a glass structure created by Suffolk artist Arabella Marshall and commissioned by the Trust’s Organ Donation Committee.

It has three pieces that make up a heart, each one of which is made up of fragments, which the artist said was to show the journey of organ donations.

Arabella Marshall said that the fragments making up the heart show the journey of any organ donation. (Image: Charlotte Bond)  

She added: “Indeed, the more I look the more I discover new things myself but it is certainly about each and every individual piece being essential to form the whole."

She has also ensured during different seasons when light passes through the glass it makes a different design for people to look at. Different messages could be revealed when light passes through the heart. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The artwork has been placed in the foyer outside the critical care unit at the hospital.

Kieron Dyer attended the unveiling and met staff at the critical care unit. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Dr Martin Mansfield, chair of the organ donation committee and Deputy Chief Medical Officer said: “Placing the heart in this space seems a most appropriate thank you to organ donors and their families, and by putting the artwork in the window its beauty and the generosity it celebrates does not just belong to those in the hospital.

It is for everyone outside to enjoy too.”