RUH Exhibitions and Collections: A Review 2019-20

RUH Exhibitions and Collections: A Review 2019-20

“I love the art at the RUH. It makes a huge difference to the atmosphere, changing it from purely medical to a place where there is beauty and potential.� Patient

The RUH has one of Bath’s largest and most accessible exhibition spaces in our region; accessible every day, 7 days a week, our capacity has grown to over 700 artworks which are displayed in public areas across the site. They consist of temporary exhibitions, long term loans and donations. Art at the Heart exhibits a variety of work by both amateur and professional artists, and arts organisations in order to enhance the environment and improve the experience for patients, staff and visitors.

Central Gallery The central gallery is our main exhibition space and we had a series of major installs over the year. In January we showed paintings and prints by popular Bath artist Nick Cudworth. In addition, we also showed print exhibitions by Marshfield Printmakers and Jason Dorley-Brown.

In Spring the theme changed to photography and we showed award winning photographs by Linda Wevill and Landscape Collective UK alongside works from Susan Brown and the Devon Guild.

Print by Elena Zitrone, Marshfield Screenprinters

Following the success of previous years, a highlight of the Summer exhibitions was a fundraising silent auction by Art at the Heart of the RUH (AATH) and Bath Artists’ Studios (BOS). It provided funds for both charities and included works by well-known artists like Peter Brown, Malcolm Ashman and Nick Cudworth.

Landscape Collective UK Install

Alongside we showed an amazing series of artworks by Artist’s First a long established group of disable artists with learning difficulties and this exhibition was a retrospective of the works produced from formation until the present day.

Brenda Cook, Artists’ First

In addition, there were some amazing artworks produced by children as part of the Bath and Beyond Primary Schools Arts Festival (BPSAF) - an annual event from schools around Bath 2019 Bath and Beyond Primary Schools and included Twerton Infants, Roundhill Primary School, Abbot Alphege Academy and Weston All Saints Primary School.

“Absolutely love the pictures done by school children. Great talent beginning to blossom.” Visitor The Autumn saw the return of the Bath Open Studios - a collective of the five Bath Art Trails including Bear Flat, Combe Down, Larkhall, Newbridge and Widcombe.

It was a treasure trove of eclectic artworks from local artists and makers and always proves a highly successful exhibition in the run up to Christmas.

Furthermore, there was a solo exhibition of paintings and prints by Matthew Rees - an artist living in France and recovering from a brain hemorrhage. The works are inspired by his surrounding landscape and they are textured, multiple layered and highly coloured.

Bath Open Studios Exhibition in the RUH Central Gallery

This Winter saw a return to photography with ‘Footloose in the Americas’ by Alan Brook - a series of impressive travel and wildlife photographs. Alongside are photographs of African animals by Dean and Helen Mclachlan.

Giraffe Baby, Dean Mclachlan

A key exhibition at this time is also Mandy Barker’s INDEFINITE from the Altered Ocean exhibition - a powerful exhibition that raises awareness about plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and on loan from the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), an organisation we have had a long association with. We also collaborated with the RUH Sustainability team to exhibit the NHS Single-use reduction pledge which requires NHS trusts who sign up to commit to phasing out avoidable, single-use plastic items which are used in catering services and office spaces. Lastly, there is a series of astrological photographs from the RPS Science Exhibition.

P O L Y S T Y R E N E F O O D C O N T AI N E R (1940 – 2020)

Altered Ocean Exhibition

“Altered Ocean helps to visualise the impact of plastics in society and collaborating on this helped to put this issue in to context for our staff, visitors and patients. We hope it will ignite creativity, encouraging people to find ways to make more sustainable choices throughout the day.”

Ruth McNab, RUH Sustainability Manager

Display Case The two display cases in the central corridor enable us to showcase a fantastic range of 3D works and it’s proved to be very popular as reflected in the high number of sales. Most of the works come from Bath Open Studios and the exhibits change on a regular basis or when sales are made.

Some works from the AATH and BAS fundraising silence auction were also shown to coincide with the 2D works. There is currently a solo exhibition of ceramics in one of the display cases by Jane Gibson – an artist from Bradfordon-Avon who recreates Ceramic Teapots by Jane Gibson everyday forms in unique and imaginative ways.

South Gallery The South gallery had 3 installs during the year and included paintings and collages of landscapes and animals by the hugely popular Liane Stevenson and PAUSE - a group exhibition by students and curated by Phoebe Bradley-White who also worked for our department as an intern. A series of donkey pictures from this exhibition by Jennifer Jenkins proved to be some of the best-selling of the year.

The current exhibition is paintings and prints

by Zennor Box who’s highly appealing and imaginative works depict animals in often humorous scenarios.

Butterflies at Dusk, Zennor Box

North Gallery The North gallery is a permanent exhibition space for Bath Photographic Society and the exhibitions change twice a year. The space is due to end in 2020 due to the demolishing of the site for the new Dyson Cancer Care Centre however we hope to re-collect the exhibition to another part of the hospital.

West Gallery The West Gallery is a popular space by the Friends Coffee Shop and ideally suited for small solo exhibitions. There’s been quite a number over the year included David Ringsell's paintings and prints of Bath, Emma Williams 's organ donation T-shirts and woodcuts, King Edwards School's prints by students, Jose Bahar's landscapes works and Mary Marchant and Anna Newman's exhibition as former members of Creative Perspectives – a peer led visual arts group based in Bath and partnered with Creativity works.

The current exhibition is paintings of prints of Bath and Cornwall by Cherie Merchant.

Organ Donation T-shirts by Emma Williams

Artsparks Gallery The Artsparks Gallery is an exhibition space for young people in the local community and for those being treated at the hospital. The current exhibition is work produced in the children ward and led by resident artist, Edwina Bridgman.

Unicorn painted by a young patient

First Floor Gallery The main role of the First-Floor gallery is to act as a permanent exhibition space for members of staff and we are currently showing photographs by Richard Mansfield, Hassan El-Wakeel and Kesavan Ramanujam.

It’s also an area to show donated works and recently includes 2 acquisitions by established printmaker Ros Ford and they were recently showed at Royal West of England Academy in Bristol. These were generously donated by Josie Reed, who was Chair of the RUH Arts Committee: 2003-6 Second Floor Gallery

Bath Artist Printmakers

The second floor is a permanent exhibition space for Bath Artists Printmakers – a local arts group showing a wide range of printmaking techniques. The display changes once or twice a year.

Circle Bath Hospital We are contracted to install two exhibitions a year at the Circle Hospital near Bath. It’s designed by award winning architect Norman Foster and ideally suited for larger, unglazed works. The start of the year included works by Bath Open Studios and partly shown in conjunction with their exhibition at the RUH. We sold a few works, including a couple by Helen Stanfield. The current exhibition has been extended and shows 6 artists including Malcolm Ashman, Usha Pearce, Hetty Dupays and Phillip Bouchard, all working in different mediums and exploring the landscape in unique ways.

Circle Bath Exhibition

“Brilliant idea to have original artwork where so many people can see it. Well done!” Visitor, Circle Hospital

RNHRD and Therapies Install Art at the Heart undertook the largest install to date of permanent art and heritage commissions; supporting the relocation and opening of the new Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases & Brownsword Therapies Centre (RNHRD&BTC) which opened in the autumn of 2019. Over the Andy Goodman Illustrations course of the summer months the Exhibitions Manager installed over 150 bespoke framed graphic prints and heritage panels across the site.

Planned exhibitions for 2020 (now on hold due to COVID-19: Please check our website www.artatruh.org for updates)       

Staff and Volunteers exhibition ‘Rooted in Landscape’ – a touring exhibition by Paintings in Hospitals Bath Artists’ Studios (BAS) and Art at the Heart (AATH) fundraising silent auction – possibility of an on-line auction Spike Island Printmaker at the Circle Bath Society of Artists – TBC Bath Open Studios – TBC Chilcompton Art Group – scheduled for October/November 2020

Exhibition Summary    

Total Number of Exhibitions = 32 Total Number of Installed Artworks = 1,200 Total Number of Sales = 221 (21% of total works on display) Permanent Artworks and Exhibitions Installed = 150

Exhibition Income Overall sales: £24,063 Our Commission: £8,021 (gross) BOS/AATH auction: £6,631 (£1,639.75 AATH commission) External contract sales: £3,000 (Circle Bath Hospital) Contact Details Exhibitions Manager, Tony Smith tonysmith3@nhs.net or Tel: 07768 070403/ 01225 824987 Art at the Heart of the RUH Estates and Facilities Directorate Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Combe Park Bath, BA1 3NG Charity no. 1058323

Feedback What do you think? Cards “I thoroughly enjoyed the art which was so diverse and unique whilst walking to my scan, cheered me up. Thank you.” Patient “Brilliant, really brightens up dull corridors.” Visitor “A superb selection for all ages to enjoy. A great mix of medium. Thank you.”

Patient

“I love the art in the hallways of the RUH – they really brighten the experience of the hospital.” Visitor Comments Book Makes a massive difference to the feel of the hospital. So valuable for patients + visitors at tough times and in good times! Long may the ‘Art Corridors’ remain!

Lovely artwork. I keep coming here from the wards to contemplate the art. I really enjoy it!

Being in the corridor makes the reason for being here so much better. Love the Art. For someone who can’t sleep, I walk the corridors a lot and this artwork really can make you stop and think about all sorts of things. Keep it up!

The art is amazing in the RUH. It completely transforms the corridors + takes your mind off your worries + lifts your spirits.

Very good, has given me the confidence to cope with the stress of coming to this place. Thank you for a visual experience.

Very much enjoy looking at the pictures in the hospital. Gives me something to do while waiting for my surgery.

What a brilliant idea. It must help enormously in healing patients & keeping the staff happy.

More information about the arts and heritage projects for RNHRD&BTC and other art commissions towards the RUH North redevelopment can be viewed on our website: artatruh.org/art-in-the-environment/ More information about our past long-term loans and donations can be found here: artatruh.org/exhibitions/permanent-collection/