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.