Finding a Focus

I was in the studio for the latter part of November making small artworks to go up in the boxes. It also gave me the space to think about what I should do for the final work as the Residency was fast drawing to a close. I decided to concentate on a figure from the archive and perhaps try to raise further funds to extend the my time at the hospital and allow greater engagement with the staff, patients and other users of UHL. Once they were made I then had the job of finding all the boxes and placing the work inside.

Winter Preparations

As I traveled around the hospital used one the the maps kindly provided by Jeff Galvan so I could retrace my steps and also note down what happened where. I even came across one an empty ward which was being prepared for opening over the winter months.

Catching Up

It feels like a long time since I have posted on the site which could be a sign of racing around trying to get everything done. I will give a quick summary here on what is the last day of 2008

For much of November following the meet the artist event I concerned myself with getting around the hospital with the Booklets as a way of introducing myself to as many people as possible. I am still astounded by the size of the hospital and the amount of time it has taken to get around everywhere.

Meet the Artist & Poet

Today is Poppy Day it is also the Meet the Artist day. I am a bit worried, as I have to give a speech – or I think I do. Not sure what to say but I can talk a bit about the residency. I should be concentrating on the final work, which of course will never be what I expected.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Booklet Drop

On the last day of October I finally started on my journey around the wards with my booklets asking for you stories. I also was photographing the boxes to map their location ready for the artworks. On one of the children’s wards there were some wonderful photographs of the staff. I should take note…

On my journey that day I also met loads of wonderful people including June Gregory on the PALS desk whose memories of the hospital go back to 1948! I cannot wait to spend some time with her and find out things, which go way beyond the archive.

Who is Matron Bell?

I am a bit behind as it is two weeks since I last put up a post. Life seemed to have got in the way last week and the one before. I spent some more time in the archive and got totally consumed by the photographs of staff and patients taken over the years. I hope we can put some up for the 'MEET THE ARTIST' event on the 11th November.

In the meantime can anyone tell me anything about Matron Bell MBE??

Archives

I came in for a bit on Friday to spend some more time with the archives. There is so much information and inspiration it is proving hard to find a focus for the final work. I look forward to your stories as I feel these will be the key. I am still a bit short of boxes hence I am in my studio in the middle of the night preparing more to take in the morning. I am making plans for the first of the small 'takeaway' artworks to appear as soon as all of the boxes are up. In the meantime I shall place some information about the ‘Meet the Artists’ event in November inside them.

Booklets

The last week has gone in a blur. I was out and about distributing the booklets around the waiting areas of the hospital on Tuesday but with so much to cover I still have a number of areas to go – so sorry if I have not got round to you as yet.

I had a break in the Restaurant and enjoyed a one of the fabulous cooked meals I have been hearing about. I also spoke to a newly discharged patient who waxed lyrical about the food he’d enjoyed during his stay. This was clearly the highlight of his time at UHL along with the staff on the ward that had clearly given him a bit of a tonic!

Artist in Residence

University Hospital Lewisham has extended its ambitious contemporary art programme and created residencies for an artist and a poet in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Health Service. Joy Gregory is the Artist-in-Residence and from now until the end of 2008 she will work with staff, patients, visitors and support groups (along with -Poet in Residence, Gale Burns) as part of her research in the production of new work.

My practise is concerned with social and political issues with particular reference to history and cultural differences in contemporary society. As part of my residency at UHL I will look at the local area and its constituents interviewing various user groups including staff, patients & visitors. I am also keen to examine the historical and contemporary context of the hospital through ‘individual’ experience and the hospital archives.