Students and visitors to the Clara Street Gallery over the last few months may have noticed a temporary addition to the studio's decor: a colourful, quaint sculpture by Tom Bass of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, and Piglet.

Having lived at the Sydney Children's Hospital for the last 35 years, we collected the sculpture earlier this year with its chips and scratches, having seen a lot of use, appreciation and play in its life. TBSSS teacher Wendy Black has been repairing and recolouring the work this term, and each week it has become more vibrant and inviting. The sculpture is due to be returned to the hospital later this month – thank you to Wendy for her excellent restoration work!

Looking into the history of the sculpture, Christopher Robin, Pooh and Piglet was commissioned in 1989 for the outpatients in Sydney Children's Hospital, for children with terminal illnesses to play with. The work was in line with their then-director John Beveridge's policy on keeping the children as entertained as possible. Made in polychrome resin fibreglass and put on low casters, it was designed to be durable and light to encourage children to push it around the floor. In his memoir, Tom Bass writes about his inspiration for the sculpture; seeing a friend's sick daughter talking to her bear for comfort. Tom was moved by the idea of children communicating to a part of themselves via animals, just as A.A. Milne was to write the original story of Winnie-the-Pooh for his son Christopher.

We look forward to returning Christopher Robin and friends to the hospital, so they can help bring some joy to young patients once again.