- Paintings in Hospitals has a longstanding relationship with Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals Trust, but this is the first time Ashford Hospital has adopted artworks from the Paintings in Hospitals collection.
- The installation was done by Dr. Peter Wilkinson, a consultant cardiologist who has worked in Ashford and St Peter for over 35 years.
- The artwork was installed in the outpatient department as part of the Trust’s Healing Arts programme, which aims to introduce more visual arts, music and theater into hospitals and to enhance architecture and green spaces throughout the Trust.
- It is believed that the presence of nature, landscapes and art in all forms of healthcare can bring a range of benefits, aiding recovery, reducing patient length of stay and positively impacting the well-being of staff, patients and visitors .
dr Peter Wilkinson and Sandra Bruce-Gordon, Managing Directors, Paintings in Hospitals, Marigolds and chair, Pauline Vincent
dr Wilkinson, an avid supporter of creating a healing atmosphere in the hospital, said:
“My informal association with Paintings in Hospitals began many years ago (I’d guess over 30) when I was then a relatively new consultant at Ashford Hospital. I remember going to a place near Regents Park to see what was on offer. I was shown some paintings and suggested that I put a sample in the trunk of my car and bring it back to Ashford. When I protested to the two ladies in charge that they didn’t know me, I was told that was no problem! I must have taken about 15 to 20 paintings to the hospital, where I displayed them on some tables in the education center and asked the staff to choose what they wanted for their department. I think they were a little shocked as no one had done this before. It’s wonderful to be collaborating with Paintings in Hospitals and to see this new art installation in our outpatient clinic for everyone to enjoy.”
Sandra Bruce-Gordon, Managing Director of Paintings in Hospitals said:
“Visiting a hospital as a patient or loved one can be a stressful experience and both art and nature can calm a troubled mind. Healthcare arts can also benefit staff, both as observers and through the creation of art. I’m excited to see this installation at my local hospital. Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals have enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Paintings in Hospitals for many years to the benefit of all.”
ENDS
For media inquiries please contact:
Daphne Power
Marketing and communications manager, paintings in hospitals
M: 07778716175
E: dp@paintingsinhospitals.org.uk
rose winn
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ABOUT PAINTINGS IN HOSPITALS
Paintings in Hospitals is a national charity that uses visual arts for health and well-being. We offer art loans and creative activities for people in healthcare, community and social care. We have the UK’s only national art collection put together specifically for this purpose, with over 3,800 artworks by well-known artists such as Antony Gormley, Bridget Riley, Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Blackadder, Yinka Shonibare and Jake and Dinos Chapman. Working with local partners, we help people and communities address the challenges associated with aging, loneliness, long-term health issues, poor mental health and socioeconomic disadvantage. Participants in our art lending program and associated art projects engage in everything from selecting artworks for display to meaningfully collaborating with experienced artists to get the most out of their experience.
The charity is recognized by the Arts Council as a key organization in creative health.
A short film about paintings in hospitals can be found here: power of a painting
www.paintingsinhospitals.org.uk
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9 Lydden Street, London SW18 4LT
ABOUT ST. PETER AND ASHFORD
The Trust was formed in 1998 from the merger of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals and has enjoyed a long journey of development and improvement to its current position as the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents. In December 2010 it was converted into a Foundation Trust. The Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in the Boroughs of Runnymede, Spelthorne, Woking and parts of Elmbridge, Hounslow, Surrey Heath and beyond. The Trust employs approximately 4,400 individual staff.
