A team of artists has been
commissioned to create pieces of art for Aberdeen’s new Baird Family
Hospital. Art engagement sessions were held recently to give staff,
patients and members of the public a chance to work with the artists to
influence the original artwork for the new hospital.
The commissioned artists - NEON Studio,
Joseph Hillier, Bespoke Atelier, Colin Davies, Louise Kirby and Emma
Varley – developed creative activities and questionnaires to help inform the
pieces they will develop for the new hospital.
The art commissions are being funded by
The Archie Foundation as part of their £2million ‘Baird
Appeal' which aims to deliver the difference at the new
hospital.
Paula Cormack, Chief Executive of The
Archie Foundation, said: “The art in The Baird Family Hospital will play a
big part in creating a welcoming aesthetic. The aim is to create a positive and
pleasant environment for patients, their visitors and also for
staff.
“The artists will be creating a range of
artworks for The Baird Family Hospital and we are delighted they have
spent time talking to staff, patients and visitors who access and work in the
wards and departments which will move into the Baird Family Hospital.”
The drop-in sessions, which took place at
Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, and at the Rosemount Community Centre,
provided a chance to discuss the artwork which will be going into the new
hospital.
Mark Nixon and Viliina Koivisto of
NEON relate their involvement in the project to their own
experiences.
Viliina said: “We had our child three
years ago. This project feels close to home because we have lived through that,
so we thought it would be interesting to work in that environment and have
an impact on how people feel when they come to hospital.”
Louise Kirby has also been commissioned to
work on the project. She will be creating art for the wards and
corridors.
She said: “For me it is about
understanding the people who will be using this space and making sure
I’m putting the right kind of message into it, as it’s their
experience, not mine.
“Amongst others, I am going to be
designing the artwork that is going on the bridge, from The Baird Family
Hospital to the main hospital. I imagine because it’s a corridor space,
and people are moving, there’s going to be some sort of journey.”
The Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT)
has been working with NHS Grampian to deliver the artwork for the new facility,
which is currently being built on the Foresterhill site.
Sally Thomson, Director of Grampian Hospitals
Art Trust, said: “Grampian Hospitals Art Trust has supported NHS Grampian for
almost 40 years to uplift the environment of the hospitals through art. Access
to arts activities and a pleasing built environment in hospital has been
proven to add a positive impact by enhancing health, wellbeing and quality
of life.
“Grampian Hospitals Art Trust has worked
closely with The Archie Foundation to support the arts for young people in
hospital and we are proud to be working with them on The Baird Family Hospital
to help patients feel cared for, visitors feel welcome and staff feel
valued.”
For the first time in NHS Grampian’s
history, maternity, gynaecology, breast screening and breast surgery services
will all be under one roof, along with a centre for reproductive medicine,
an operating theatre suite and cutting-edge research and teaching
facilities led by the University of Aberdeen.
To date, The Archie Foundation has
raised more than £1million towards funding the vital finishing touches and
additional specialist equipment which will take The Baird
Family Hospital from being a clinically state of the art hospital
to a world-class facility.
Paula added: “There is no doubt that our
£2million fundraising appeal for The Baird Family Hospital will make a huge
difference to families throughout North Scotland. The raised funds
will significantly enhance the clinical services provided by the NHS to
make hospital stays more comfortable and easier for premature and sick babies
and their families, including the provision of financial grants and
accommodation.”
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the
practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie
Foundation.