Leading artists donate artwork to brighten staff rooms across the trust
In response to the current crisis, Barts Health is upgrading existing areas and creating new spaces where clinical staff can find rest and respite. Aligning with these developments, #100NHSRooms is a charitably funded initiative bringing new artworks to 100 rooms across the trust.
Vital Arts, the Arts & Health service for Barts Health, has collaborated with artist Shezad Dawood and Modern Forms on this project to further their ongoing mission to support the wellbeing of both patients and hospital employees through the arts.
With evidence demonstrating the benefits of art on mental health in clinical settings, the initiative will be a lasting legacy of a commitment to the wellbeing of our frontline workers.
The project responds to the current pandemic, but the impact of the artworks will extend beyond it. It also recognises the effects of pressure on staff and promotes the importance of an enhanced environment for reflection and calm.
Dr. Rory McDermott, consultant respiratory physician at Newham Hospital, says: “#100NHSRooms has much less to do with paintings in a staff room, and much more to do with what remains when the world is rapidly changing around you. The project will afford frontline staff a few moments to take stock, absorb the art and ponder the questions that it raises before returning to patient care”.
Working together, Vital Arts, Shezad Dawood and Modern Forms appealed to a sense of solidarity amongst artists in gathering the donations. Many of our hospitals serve the east London community and a large proportion of participating artists live locally too, all within the hub of the city’s art scene.
#100NHSRooms demonstrates the strength of community, channelling a desire amongst multinational artists to support their hospital neighbours and show their thanks.
The #100NHSRooms initiative has been funded largely through donations and voluntary work. Catsou Roberts, Director of Vital Arts, says: “It has been a rich and fruitful collaboration with Modern Forms and the artist Shezad Dawood, who has been a driving force behind the project. Vital Arts is deeply grateful to all participating artists for giving multiple works - many made especially for the project. We are indebted to Simon Beaugie for kindly donating frames and framing services, and to Pelham Communications for providing PR support pro bono. We are keen to bring enriching artwork directly to our clinical colleagues - in those areas, and during this moment - when they might need it most. I believe these artworks will offer comfort and inspiration and convey the respect we hold for frontline staff during this difficult time.”
Dr. Ian Basnett, public health director at Barts Health, adds: “Art allows our minds to travel to different places, which is particularly important during stressful times. Our staff have been fantastic during this pandemic, and they will appreciate that this charitable initiative has been able to secure artwork for so many staff rooms where they will find rest and respite”.
Follow and share #100NHSRooms on social media to support the initiative and to see the new works in place.
