Public Art and Community Engagement in LIFT Buildings
One of the many benefits of the LIFT initiative is the opportunity to involve and consult with the local community, end users, local organisations and authorities in the design of improved health care facilities.
It is widely recognised that art is an important aspect of healing and plays a major role in people’s lives; stimulating our senses and enhancing communication between people of different age groups, cultures and abilities. The involvement of the local community aids the relationship between them and the building, its staff and the daily users. Communities are able to voice their opinion shaping the appearance and the functionality of their facility, which, aside from helping communities interact within itself, improves their wellbeing. The creativity expressed by all those involved in public art goes a long way towards eradicating the uninviting gloomy hospital image.
Bradford and Airedale Care Partnerships is proud to announce that we have successfully commissioned public art work in most of our new facilities, the total value of which exceeds £40,000. The work is funded mainly by Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT), and partly by our private sector partner – Accent Foundation. Local communities have been involved from a very early stage in the creation of various pieces of art, and hundreds of local school children have assisted artists in the design, and the actual production, of some of the art pieces. These art pieces have been warmly received by local communities and has helped to produce a sense of ownership of the buildings from the people who use them.
Westbourne Green Community Health Care Centre
Tiled murals consume a 23 square metre area along the two main public circulation corridors in Westbourne Green Community Health Care Centre. Students from three local schools assisted in the design and production of the murals, which are designed around GP signatures.
School children were also heavily involved in the design of three printed curtains, which hang invitingly in the foyer of the pedestrian entrance.
The school groups were organised by volunteers from Kirkgate Studios and Workshops (www.ksandw.org), the sole arts organisation commissioned to deliver the community art project on our behalf.
Funding: Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust and Accent Foundation.
Art’s Organisation: Kirkgate Studios and Workshops (www.ksandw.org)
Artist: Various
Thornbury Medical Centre
‘Senses’ is the theme of the public art displayed in the waiting area of Thornbury Medical Centre. The ‘Circular Senses’ project was managed by Kirkgate Studios and Workshops (www.ksandw.org) of Shipley, who worked alongside students from a local college and Children’s Centre. Students from the Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College designed and produced the Sight, Sound and Touch senses art work, which are created on 1m diameter canvas and plaster reliefs. Young people from Mortimer House Children’s Centre were involved in the design and production of the Smell and Taste senses art work, which have also been created on 1m diameter plaster and canvas reliefs.
Funding: Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust
Art’s Organisation: Kirkgate Studios and Workshops (www.ksandw.org)
Artist: Vic Buta
Undercliffe Health Care Centre
Two separate pieces of art work were produced for the waiting areas in Undercliffe Health Care Centre. The theme of ‘story telling’ was developed, as the new facility is constructed on land which was home to Undercliffe Primary School. Peel Park Surgery waiting area boasts an impressive printed translucent perspex panel story board detailing important Whitsuntide memories of those people who once attended the school many years ago and who now partake in the Community Works Friendship Group for older people.
The tPCT waiting area is home to a similar type of art, this time telling the story, ‘Angel in a poorly body’. The true story had been recited by Frederick Taglione (1928-2006) of Undercliffe. It describes the life of Elizabeth Boltop (1894-1945) whom, having suffered terrible abuse from her family, was left to die on the streets. Frederick tells how Elizabeth Boltop survived life on the streets and went on to work in an orphanage transforming the lives of 150 of the most disturbed, violent and dysfunctional children in Bradford. Year 4 Children from Westminster Primary School participated by designing the characters on the story board.
Funding: Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust
Art’s Organisation: Kirkgate Studios and Workshops (www.ksandw.org)
Artist: Amy Hield
Hillside Bridge Health Care Centre
Three murals – ‘Spiral’, ‘Sunflower’ and ‘Tree’ – were expertly produced for Hillside Bridge Health Care Centre using ‘the celebration of diversity and connectivity of life on our planet’ as the key theme. Year 5 pupils from Barkerend Primary School helped with the designs and the Hillside Bridge Health Care Centre Public and Patient Involvement Group also assisted in the creation of the art work. The chief artist, Jo Knowles, used acrylic paint in the application of the designs.
Funding: Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust
Art’s Organisation: Kirkgate Studios and Workshops (www.ksandw.org)
Artist: Jo Knowles
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