We decided to keep the development and manufacture of the detailed site-specific artwork for the unit under wraps to allow for further consultation, production development and sampling etc. Since the last post 8 months ago now, things have really moved on!
Following design approvals and sign-off at the end of April 2016, we embarked on the detailed design work for production with VGLand other specialist contractors and suppliers.
We are collaborating with VGL on a broad range of digital designs, including a large scale polychrome bespoke Wallcovering to the Main Corridor and print-white Glazing Vinyls to the external glazing frames. VGL are further assisting us in the supply of digital production files for:
Retractable Privacy Screens for the Chemotherapy Treatment Room, being manufactured and supplied by Kwickscreen.
The following images show some of this process, including building works, sampling and sample site-installations, testing the ideas. Many thanks to Architects IBI Group and Main Contractors John Turner
One that got away ! …Early drafts for undeveloped SuperGraphic signage / railing detail.
Draft for SuperGraphic signage / railing for the Macmillan Unit entrance by Christopher Tipping.
Draft for SuperGraphic signage / railing for the Macmillan Unit entrance by Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher Tipping / IBI Group Architects
Michael Hughes of IBI Group – our Project Architect, has however designed a brilliant new canopy entrance feature – not sure I can show that one just yet ! – but will get an image asap !
A large vocabulary of individual landscape inspired elements were developed for the project, using documentary photographs taken on my walk with Stewart & further drawings and studies made in the studio.
List of vector images and iconography developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingColour iconography / elements developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher Tipping
As per usual in my practice, some of this iconography is part of a common language of ideas which appear throughout my work – some are original to this project, some may find their way into the next project. Some have migrated from a previous project. This is my original ‘handwriting’, and may offer clues to the driving elements which fuel my approach to any work.
Individual coloured iconography / element developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingIndividual coloured iconography / element developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingIndividual coloured landscape inspired iconography / element developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingHow to make a DREAM STREAM – Individual coloured landscape inspired iconography / element developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingHow to make A44.’DREAM STREAM’ – rules on creating an Individual coloured landscape inspired iconography / element developed for the new Tameside Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingStudy for REEDS – Individual iconography / inspired by Tameside Landscape, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingStudy for PLOUGH PATTERN – Individual iconography / inspired by Tameside Landscape, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingStudy for A66. LARGE GRITSTONE – Individual iconography / inspired by Tameside Landscape, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingScreenshot of Bespoke Corridor WallCovering Production Artwork v1, inspired by a walk in the landscape of Tameside, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingScreenshot of Bespoke Corridor WallCovering Production Artwork v1, inspired by a walk in the landscape of Tameside, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingScreenshot of Bespoke Corridor WallCovering Production Artwork v1, inspired by a walk in the landscape of Tameside, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher TippingScreenshot of Bespoke Corridor WallCovering Production Artwork v1, inspired by a walk in the landscape of Tameside, developed for the New Macmillan Unit by Project Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher Tipping
The Arts and Healthcare Environments Round Table was chaired by Lord Crisp and was organised by Alex Coulter– “Alex has been Director of Art & Health South West since 2010. Before that she managed the Arts in Hospital project at Dorset County Hospital for 13 years. and worked as a free lance arts and health consultant in the acute and primary care sectors. As part of her role with AHSW she represents the region on the National Alliance for Arts, Health and Wellbeing and provides the secretariat for theAll Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing”. Arts & Health South West
“The Arts and Healthcare Environments round table is hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing. It is one in a series of round tables in which practitioners, academics, policy makers, those with lived experience and managers of services are invited to share their knowledge and experience with parliamentarians. The aim is to inform policy recommendations for the APPG’s Inquiry into Arts, Health and Wellbeing.
The integration of the arts into hospital environments is, arguably, the great success story of the arts and health movement in this country. Major initiatives, such as the King’s Fund Healing Environments programme and the work by CABE (the Commission for the Built Environment) and NHS Estates, in the 1990s and 2000s have had a significant and lasting impact. This round table will consider the critical success factors in this area of arts and health practice, how these might influence our thinking about policy for the wider arts and health sector, as well as consider what next for arts in healthcare environments. We will broaden the discussion to incorporate issues such as staff experience and retention, design of products and services, and the integration of gardens and horticulture into healthcare environments.” Alex Coulter
Participants:
Gilly Angell, Expert Patient, UCLH Cancer Centre
Sir Quentin Blake, Artist
Paul Brooks, Associate Director of Patient Experience and Facilities Management, Derby Teaching
Hospitals and Laura Waters, Arts Programme Manager, Derby Teaching Hospitals
Clare Devine, Executive Director Architecture, Built Environment and Design, Design Council Cabe
Guy Eades, Director of Healing Arts, St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight
Susan Francis, Programme Director for Architects for Health
Professor Fiona Sampson, poet
Dr Sue Stuart-Smith, Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Sally Thompson, Director Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust
Following the round table we were all invited to celebrate the launch of Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2016hosted by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charityat St Thomas’ Hospital. “This national showcase of work in hospitals from across the country will offer an insight into some of the ways the arts can enhance the 21st Century hospital”.
I have worked as an artist within Healthcare Environments since the very outset of my career – so this was a very privileged opportunity for me to make a contribution to the debate and hopefully in some small way, to influence future policy for the better.
Also – this was my first time inside the Houses of Parliament ! I couldn’t believe I was standing in Westminster Hall –
My pictures are not so good – but the experience really was !
Houses of Parliament, Monday 13th June 2016 Image: Christopher TippingInside Westminster Hall, Monday 13th June 2016. Image: Christopher Tipping
The massive and magnificent hammer beam roof of Westminster Hall. Monday 13th June 2016. Image: Christopher TippingA carved angel – part of the massive hammer beam roof of Westminster Hall, Monday 13th June 2016
The Ward Round Rooms at the Whiteleaf Centre have now been completed.
VGL Ltd collaborated with me on the production design and then manufactured and installed the digitally printed artwork wall coverings.
Tom Coxof Artscape has managed the project from the outset. A big thanks for all his contribution and assistance with the project !
A few images of Amber, Sapphire and Ruby Ward Round Rooms – Opal Ward is still missing – but I will post some images as soon as they come in –
Ward Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom CoxWard Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
27th April 2016 – Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton Under Lyne
Tameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Colourways Artwork for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping
On Wednesday this week I attended a meeting of the project Arts Group to present the research, creative concept & draft development of the artwork for the TMU – Tameside Macmillan Unit. The pdf can be viewed via this link:
“Chris’ designs were presented to patient and staff representatives yesterday and were very well received. People felt they were really true to the original concept and Stewart Ramsden, the patient representative who took Chris on the walk was especially pleased. He felt the layers of detail offered repeated rewards for patients needing to return to the centre again and again. He also liked the semi abstract nature of the work which allowed people to find their own interpretation whilst still being very evocative of familiar local places”. Bronwen Gwillim – Creative DirectorWillis Newson
Some of the images from the pdf and the meeting are posted below –
Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Artwork for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Artwork 1 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Artwork 2 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Artwork 3 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Ink Drawing of Wild Garlic. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Ink Drawing of Reeds. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Ink Drawing of Branch with leaves. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Drawing of Gritsone. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Abstract Drawing of Field Pattern. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Stage Art Group Review Meeting. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Stage Art Group Review Meeting. Image: Christopher TippingTameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Stage Art Group Review Meeting. Image: Christopher Tipping
Stewart Ramsden is a member of the TMU Art Group as a Patient Representative. Stewart also happens to be the President of the Tameside Ramblers. He accompanied me on the 12 mile walk in Tameside, which has been the inspiration for this project. Bronwen Gwillim is Creative Director at Willis Newson and is leading on the Arts and Interior Strategy for the Trust.
Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Stage Art Group Review Meeting. Image: Christopher Tipping
TMU Art Group members left to right – Sarah Lowiss Haematology Cancer Specialist Nurse, Michael Hughes Project Architect IBI Group & Gareth Llewellyn Capital Projects Manager for the Trust –
Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Stage Art Group Review Meeting. Image: Christopher Tipping
The meeting also covered the proposals for colour, fabrics and finishes for the Interiors of the building, which is being delivered by Michael Hughes, IBI Group Project Architect. I am also consulting with Olivia Kirk of Olivia Kirk Gardens who is designing the external courtyard finishes and planting scheme. It is an interesting collaborative process – as I am responding to and being inspired by their proposals for colour, texture and materials, whilst my draft artwork is also influencing the colour field and aesthetic for the project.
“Journeys through the Landscapes of Tameside” – this was the brief for the project and the theme for the 12 mile walk –
Stewart Ramsden, my walking partner compiled the walk – one he has done many times before.
A Stewart Ramsden ‘Ramtrails’ walking route – Wild Bank and Hollingworthall Moor from Godley, Tameside. Tameside Macmillan Unit Project. Map: Reproduced from OS Explorer Map OL 1
Our route was eventually described by an eccentric figure of eight. Wild Bank and Hollingworthall Moor from Godley – a 12 mile walk through town, suburb, farmland and moorland.
This is a walk
A meander, a physical experience or just maybe a day-dream
A walk is more often along a path
The path or footpath changes in colour, texture and topography –
but there is always a remembered route to follow or a map to guide you
or maybe a venture to somewhere new
There is a constancy in moving forward
Things seen on a walk are half experienced and half remembered
A vivid green hedge
A tyre track
A discarded toy
A cloud which looks like a tree, a stream which looks like silver, a flash of colour
Horizon merges with sky
This is a landscape with no fixed perspective
Sky reflected in water
A small stone becomes a boulder
An object picked up and carried in the hand along the way
Track marks in fields are gestural and dynamic
Distant buildings become a child’s building blocks
Willis Newson, one of the UK’s leading Arts and Health Consultancies, are managing the arts and interior design strategy and artist appointment for the project.
‘Tameside Macmillan Unit is a medium sized refurbishment project at Tameside General Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne, near Manchester. Building on existing facilities provided by the Trust and Macmillan for cancer patients, the new unit will include a Macmillan Information and Support Centre, a 6 chair treatment room, waiting areas, procedure rooms and various spaces for alternative therapies’. Text from Artist’s Brief by Willis Newson
Work is due to start on site in March/April 2016 and due to be completed in September/October 2016.
An integrated approach to art, architecture and design is being delivered by Michael Hughes of IBI Architectssupported by KKE Architectsdelivering landscape design.
Christopher Tipping at top of Wild Bank, Tameside. 399m above Sea Level. Image: Stewart Ramsden
This is me at the top of Wild Bank, Tameside, the highest point on my 12 mile walk with Stewart Ramsden, a member of the project Arts Steering Group, supporting and championing the project – and also Chairman of the Tameside Ramblers.
‘A consultation workshop was held with patient, family and staff representatives to explore opportunities for the art, interiors and courtyard design. The session used creative activities to explore the group members’ personal experience and coping strategies and to identify common themes. Participants shared an appreciation of the value of ‘walking in nature’ as a healing experience and the beauty of the landscapes of Tameside: it was agreed that “Journeys through the Landscapes of Tameside” would provide a good overarching theme’. Text from Artist’s Brief by Willis Newson
It was decided that, due to time concerns and programme, I would base the creative response to the project broadly on a two day visit to meet with unit staff and service users, project architect Michael Hughes of IBI Group, Bronwen Gwillim of Willis Newson & Gareth Llewellyn, Capital Project Manager for the Trust. This was an opportunity for me simply to listen and hear about how cancer services were delivered to patients and how key factors affect that experience and how the environment can really make a difference. We also had a tour of the site – see some images to follow – and a detailed review with the architect of all plans for the work. At the end of Day 1, I walked into Ashton-Under-Lyne, to better understand the setting of the hospital and the community it serves.
What caught my eye walking into Ashton-Under-Lyne was the architectural legacy of an industrial past. Robust brick architecture with exuberant and self-confident detailing.
Industrial brick architecture in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingIndustrial brick architecture and ironwork in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingIndustrial brick architecture and ironwork in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingMetro Cinema – built 1920. Architectural Faience. Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher Tipping
This is an amazing building – wonderful architectural faience ! It occupies a corner site with another fully glazed elevation.
Spectacular & robust doorway. Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingArchitecture in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingDecorative Architectural Ironwork, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingElongated doorway – Architecture of Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingArchitecture & Streets of Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingCamden House built 1851, No.2 Grey Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingCorner building, Stamford Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingSignage in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingCommercial Building, Architecture of Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingCommercial or Warehouse Building, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingPatterns of Architecture in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher TippingSt Michael and All Angels Church of England, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher Tipping
We had our first Art Commission Phase 2 design meeting at the Whiteleaf Centre today to meet staff working in the four Wards, Opal, Sapphire, Ruby and Amber. Tom Cox of Artscapeand myself presented some first draft ideas to staff. We spread out the drawings and some paper models on the meeting room table and asked staff to comment on the work and annotate the drafts for us. This proved a rewarding process – with some of the iconography in the draft designs getting positive approval, whilst others – a definite thumbs down! –
The composite image below shows the Ward Round Rooms, which are found within each Ward Hub. This room is used for Clinical staff meetings and meetings with family and service users. We are proposing to install digitally printed wall coverings to two walls in each room.
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Christopher Tipping, Project Artist
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks and models by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project Artist
Detail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady Studio‘Murmuration’, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady Studio
Laser-cut stainless steel panels – affixed to the building elevation.
Detail: ‘Murmuration’, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ‘Murmuration’, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ‘Murmuration’, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ‘Murmuration’, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ‘Murmuration’, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady StudioDetail: ’70 Years On…’ – Central Concourse Tensile Artwork, Jubilee Building, Musgrove Park Hospital. Image: Art for Life, Corbin O’Grady Studio
