The Chemotherapy Treatment Room. During my last visit to site on 13th March 2017 – I was really interested to see how the creative concept for the project had been applied in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room – a state of the art, 6 chair Chemotherapy Suite.
The artwork was to be applied to the adjustable privacy screens adjacent to each chair. The work forms a continuous landscape, divided into 6 sections, which will be continually re-arranged to present new combinations as the screens are used throughout the day.
These screens were manufactured and installed by Kwickscreen.
The Christie Hospital has also launched a 3 day a week chemotherapy service at the new £1.8m Macmillan Unit.
New Macmillan Unit for Tameside& Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
I know that this has been a rather long session of recent postings – but I am in ‘catch-up’ mode and before the new unit opens I wanted to get as much of the project documented, so bear with me if you can !
By far the most visible of the installations being delivered is the large scale bespoke ‘landscape’ running the length of the new corridor space. This artwork is not a linear narrative, so can be experienced from whatever direction you are walking in. It isn’t a conventional landscape either, with a foreground, horizon and expansive sky. It may have elements of this about it – BUT, the original walk I made with Stewart Ramsden into the Landscape of Tameside was only the beginning of a creative process and the development of a descriptive iconography which could help to tell a story about a journey.
The artwork was developed, manufactured and installed by VGL Ltd. The work is printed onto Dreamscape Suede Wallcovering which has a Poly Cotton fabric backing.
The design work was extensively sampled, with sample installations being carried out at the Hospital – as you can see from the following images. Where necessary the design was then tweaked to fit following comments before finally being approved for full printing and manufacture.
Following approval of the strip samples, a full scale print run started and was installed on site for further comment and review / approval.
Along the main corridor within the new unit are a series of rooms for staff, service users and their families, consulting and treatment spaces. Almost all of these rooms look out onto a blank brick wall of an adjacent building about 1.5m from the windows. The artwork is digitally printed in tones of opaque and translucent white ink onto optically clear vinyl. Cut out detailing and clear unprinted areas bring the brick all, colour and texture to work with the design and integrate what could otherwise have been an unforgiving backdrop and view to those working and visiting the spaces.
We have collaborated with Vinyl Graphics Ltd– VGL – for this element of the project.
27th April 2016 – Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton Under Lyne
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 –
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.
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 –
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.
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.
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.
This is the day for our big walk ! Stewart Ramsden is walking with me – he knows the area so well and has done this walk may times – often leading groups in his capacity as Chair of the Tameside Ramblers ! This is one of Stewart’s ‘Ramtrails’!
Our walk will take in Wild Bankand Hollingworthall Moor from Godley.
The weather is overcast and grey, very cold, with a possibility of rain / sleet. I really don’t care. I am so looking forward to this. Everything is new to me – even my hiking boots and weatherproof jacket. We set off from Stewart’s home at around 09.30am.