Patient Artwork Unveiled at University College Hospital
August 2024
Image: Unveiling of artworks with artist Vanessa Sweeney
UCLH Arts & Heritage were excited to unveil a new patient artwork, now on display in the outpatient clinic at University College Hospital. The patient’s family, medical team and chief nurse Vanessa Sweeney, were there to celebrate.
Vanessa was inspired to create a series of her own artworks after visiting the recent Headway East London exhibition Differently Various in Different Spaces exhibition in The Street Gallery, University College Hospital.
Image: Euston Nights by Vanessa Sweeney
Vanessa, a patient who has learning disabilities and Down’s syndrome, went to see the exhibition as part of a de-sensitisation program to medical procedures. Following their visit, she created her own artworks in the styles that she had seen and kindly donated them to the UCLH Art Collection.
The visit also helped her to create a positive association between the hospital and art, rather than just medical interventions; as Vanessa said:
"I was really scared of coming to hospital, not if I come [now, as] I'll remember this. This makes me feel special, thank you."
Image: Flying High by Vanessa Sweeney
Sarah Cope, learning disability and autism clinical nurse specialist, said:
"We are so pleased to see that Vanessa's art has been able to be displayed at UCLH and we hope that the message of inclusion and appreciation is heard by all. Knowing that this experience has meant Vanessa feels happier about coming to hospital is a huge achievement."
Her artwork, titled Flying High, Euston Nights, and A Patchwork of City Colour, has been framed and installed in the outpatient’s clinic in University College Hospital to inspire other visitors and patients.
Image: Artworks by Vanessa Sweeney in the outpatients department
About UCLH Arts & Heritage
UCLH Arts & Heritage is the hospital arts and heritage project that serves UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and its surrounding community and is funded entirely by charitable donations and fundraising. UCLH Arts & Heritage is committed to providing a welcoming, uplifting environment for all patients, visitors and staff through the use of a varied and stimulating arts and heritage programme. Its work aims to improve the patient experience, boost staff morale, increase engagement with the arts and celebrate the Trust’s unique heritage and community.
Since 2005, UCLH has worked to improve patient and staff outcomes through the Arts. It does this in a number of ways, including a changing exhibition and music programme, creative workshops on wards, artist residencies, commissioning site-specific artwork, and a staff culture club. UCLH arts and heritage receives its funding from UCLH Charity and the Friends of UCLH.
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