Art helps keep us well. It can aid our recovery from illness and support us to live longer, healthier lives.
Paintings in Hospitals aims to transform the UK's health by using world-class art to inspire better health and wellbeing for patients, carers and communities. The charity cares for 3,900 art works and is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year.
We feel very lucky to have been able to loan 5 paintings for two years. Young people and staff were invited to contribute to choosing the paintings by using an online survey. The survey invited participants to express what they thought about the unit's current aesthetic, and to consider what sort of look they would appreciate at Simmons House. It then showed 15 paintings that were available for loan and allowed users to rate and review them.
Once we'd made our choices Paintings in Hospitals sent someone to help us make decisions about where each painting should go, then there was a mad rush to prepare the walls before the paintings were professionally installed in the reception area, corridor and one in the classroom.
Although not every person likes every painting, we are very happy with the overall effect.
The paintings we chose were:
'Savarin Can (Turquoise)' by Michael Craig-Martin (Print 48 cm x 36 cm)
'Clare Island Sunset' by Patricia Espir (Oil painting, 51 cm x 72 cm)
'Aduton LXXCII' by Paul Feiler (Oil painting, 44 cm x 44 cm)
'Sky, Sea and Sand' by Helen Hanson (Etching 56 cm x 67 cm)
'Sea' by Jane Harris (Oil and pencil, 100 cm x 99.5 cm)