Although I took a fair number of images at the time of the glazing manifestations, which were applied to the East elevation glazed curtain walls, I focussed on the interior images only.
I had no decent images of the external elevations with the artwork completed.
I recently got in touch with the Photographer Lisa Daniels, who made some wonderful images of the building having been commissioned to record the external landscapes by the project architects HLM.
She has let me have access to this great image.
East Elevation Glazing Vinyl Artwork. Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus. Artist: Christopher Tipping. Image: Lisa Daniels Photography
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
I spent Monday & Tuesday of this week in Dorchester at the new £9million Robert White Centre, based at Dorchester County Hospital. This building was part funded via a legacy from Robert White a Poole based businessman, who was treated for cancer at the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital. Robert died in 2015.
“Robert White was a great man and an enthusiast of all things mechanical. The sale is a showcase of his life’s passion, with more than 500 lots set to raise more than £2 million for charity,” said Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman. “The collection is the result of a life’s passion for photography – Robert was the founder of one of the UK’s leading photographic retailers – and his adoration for motorcycles. We’re delighted to be able to offer this for sale, and for such a great charitable cause.”
“The money raised from the Robert White Collection will help to fund essential improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment in Dorset, including:
– New cancer treatment radiotherapy facilities at Dorset County Hospital to benefit patients in the west of the county, meaning shorter travel times – New computerised tomography (CT) scanner for Poole Hospital, accurately identifying cancer site to enable targeted treatment – Permanent positron emission tomography (PET) scanner at Poole Hospital – a sophisticated imaging technique widely used for cancer, providing highly detailed imagery showing tumours and its response to treatment. – Education and training bursaries to enable staff working in cancer care and associated medical and diagnostic specialties to remain at the cutting edge of best practice”.
Bonhams 2016
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
I was there to begin some engagement with staff and patients in the ground floor Radiotherapy Unit, which is a satellite of the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital.
I was very kindly shown around by Amanda Sydenham, Macmillan Prescribing and Review Radiographer/Treatment floor Superintendent, and introduced to other staff members. We were accompanied by Nikki Mitchenere, Deputy General Manager – Oncology Legacy Fund at the Dorset Cancer Centre, who has commissioned me for this work.
I am now starting to work up some draft ideas and proposals. These will be circulated throughout the unit so we can get feedback from everyone. The important thing is that we do this in a collaborative and engaged manner.
Obviously, whilst there I took a quick look upstairs to see how the artwork in Outpatients was being received by everyone. I was re-assured after talking to a couple of staff members there, that this seems to be a great success. The artworks for Radiotherapy, will build upon this established colour base and iconography, adding in some new motifs and objects. It is important that the work on both floors appears to have a relationship, with elements interwoven between both floors.
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
A slightly blurred and abstract image taken from outside, of the first floor windows reflecting surrounding trees & a street light mixed up with the artwork. The weather was atrocious all day, with rain and high winds – not the best backdrop.
These digitally printed glazing artworks, commissioned by Arts in Hospitalfor the first floor Haematology Outpatients unit were installed in December 2018, just prior to the official opening of the Robert White Centre.
This unit is managed and operated by Dorset County Hospital.
We had a wonderful endorsement for the art project from Patricia Miller, Chief Executive of DCH.
‘I really love this. It creates such a pleasant therapeutic environment that also links to Dorset’s natural surroundings. Thank you for working so hard to create such a pleasant environment for our patients.’
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
Haematology Outpatients at the Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping.
My digitally printed artworks for the new Robert White Centrewere partially installed in December 2018, just prior to the official opening of the building on December 12th. The first floor glazing has now been completed in the Cancer & Haematology Outpatients Department on the first floor. This is the Haematology Outpatients department and the services are delivered by Dorset County Hospital. The artwork for the ground floor Radiotherapy Cancer Unit is now in progress. Services here are being delivered by Poole Hospital. The new Cancer Centre is an extension of the Poole Hospital-based Dorset Cancer Centre.
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Alex Murdin
“The £9 million centre is an extension of the Poole Hospital-based Dorset Cancer Centre. The Dorchester unit is equipped with the latest linear accelerator (LINAC) which enables patients to receive the best-possible radiotherapy treatment. This means that cancer patients in the north, south and west of the county can receive this care in their local hospital, instead of having to travel to Poole for treatment.
The facility also includes a £1.75 million Cancer and Haematology Outpatients Department funded by the Cancer Appeal run by Dorset County Hospital Charity. This was supported by hundreds of donations from individuals, community groups as well as Trusts and Foundations.
This building has been funded in part by an extraordinarily generous legacy from Poole businessman Robert White. Robert White was treated for cancer at the Dorset Cancer Centre, part of Poole Hospital, and sadly lost his battle in November 2015. Before his death, he had resolved to support the hospital and its county-wide cancer services to benefit others and decided that he would fund a new cancer unit, now named The Robert White Centre.
Martin Clunes said: “It was my privilege to be able to officially open the new Robert White Centre.
“The incredibly generous support from the community for the DCH Cancer Appeal, as well as Robert’s generosity, leaves a remarkable legacy for patients with cancer in Dorset.” Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2018
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Alex Murdin
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Alex Murdin
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Alex Murdin
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Alex Murdin
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Alex Murdin
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
The Robert White Centre, Dorset County Hospital. Artwork Image: Christopher Tipping. Photographer: Adrian Holbrook
Draft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Some years ago a long standing family friend and close friend of my Dad was being treated for cancer. He and his wife had often been to Elgol on the shores of Lock Skavaig on the Isle of Skye. They loved this place. I too had been there and as is the case – and now slightly frowned upon – I picked up some stones from a stream bed. The stones were small, but smooth & beautifully polished to a honed satin finish by the action of water. They could be held in the hand and moved around. The feeling of them was somehow special and resonant. I still have them now, wrapped in a cloth bag for fear of damaging them. I sent one of these stones to Dad’s friend. In doing that I think we had a non verbal conversation at distance about place and memories. I like to think it was re-assuring for both of us.
I have always picked up stones. They represent something unique about place, time and experience. Geology is fascinating.
I live by the sea in Ramsgate on the Kent Coast. I walk on the beach most days. I have found many sea urchin fossils. Each has a unique story. Each stone can still trigger memories of where and when it was found, what the weather was like…was the tide in or out.
I have created work for several projects with Cancer treatment centres at a number of Hospitals, including Churchill Hospital Cancer Centre, Oxford and a Macmillan Cancer unit for Tameside General Hospital. At Tameside Hospital and found my inspiration on a 12 mile walk entitled “Journeys through the Landscapes of Tameside” – this walk eventually became the brief for the project.
Stewart Ramsden, my walking partner who compiled the walk, had also been a cancer patient at the hospital and was part of our project’s champion group. 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.
The following words were made from my notes on the day:
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
The layersPatterns in brickwork
Our project for the new Radiotherapy Unit at Dorset Hospitalwas similarly inspired by a walk along the Jurassic CoastI made ten years ago. I was hoping to find myself an ammonite to take home. I didn’t find any, but I saw many encased in rock by the shore. I saw the Blue Lias beds that contain giant plesiosaur fossils. The layers are like drawers in time. Each opening to another world and perhaps another wonder. I was also allowed free time to spend in the Dorset Museum Archives amongst boxes and drawers and piles of specimen stones and fossils. The way these objects were carefully curated and stored – often in intricate patterns and collections of similar sizes and or type. was inspiring and reminded me of my collections at home and of how precious they are to me. The artwork has grown out of this fascination. The stones I have created are imaginary in colour and pattern, although informed by nature. They are perhaps stones I would like to find. Stones I would hold in my imagination to remind me of journeys I have made and places I have been.
We have now had the approval and sign off on the artwork proposals following a recent meeting with key Staff and stakeholders this week. The deadline is looming. The new building opens on 12th December. The work has to be manufactured and installed before this date.
Draft Artworks for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
To create the digital work each element requires up to 3 copies of each shape. One blank, one black & white and one in colour. The black & white originals are a mix of hand drawn motifs and textures, which are then scanned and worked on in Photoshop. I create a series of related shapes and masks, which I can then combine with larger patterns, often in repeat.Colours are added at this stage. I will often scan objects such as found paper or leaves and work on them digitally. I take too many images in the street, of shapes of water on the pavement – or reflections in windows – or a small plant growing in a crack in the ground or on a wall. All these can trigger an idea for a pattern or story.
Draft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
First Floor Reception Artwork for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Golden yellow Ginkgo sapling motif for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
First Floor Non Clinical Staff Room. Artwork for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Agate Stone colour motif for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Window 101 Artwork for Glazing Vinyl at Dorset County Hospital new Radiotherapy Unit. Image: Christopher Tipping
Window 102 Artwork for Glazing Vinyl at Dorset County Hospital new Radiotherapy Unit. Image: Christopher TippingDraft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Window 103 Artwork for Glazing Vinyl at Dorset County Hospital new Radiotherapy Unit. Image: Christopher Tipping
Window 104 Artwork for Glazing Vinyl at Dorset County Hospital new Radiotherapy Unit. Image: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork & Motifs for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Window 105 Artwork for Glazing Vinyl at Dorset County Hospital new Radiotherapy Unit. Image: Christopher Tipping
Window 106 Artwork for Glazing Vinyl at Dorset County Hospital new Radiotherapy Unit. Image: Christopher TippingAutumnal sapling tree motif for Glazing Vinyl Dorset County Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Rogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard Gooding
Rogallo Place has now completed on site with all artworks successfully in place. Many thanks to Francis Knightfor the usual brilliant arts management and collaboration, and to Optivo Homesfor the opportunity.
A big thanks also to my specialist manufacturers & collaborators, VGL & Hardscape for their invaluable contribution.
Rogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard GoodingRogallo Place Glazing Vinyl by Artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Richard Gooding
VGL Art Room, Reading. Approving Production Files. Image: Christopher Tipping
As with most of my projects I rely on creative collaboration and engagement with specialist suppliers and manufacturers. VGL are one of the best I have worked with. Their digital printing facilities are excellent, but it their outstanding collaborative skills which enable me to create work like this. The following images are from a factory visit in July 2018 to review sample production and the creation and sign off of the digital production files.
VGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Rogallo Place. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Rogallo Place. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Print Room Samples for Rogallo Place. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Digital Print Sampling. Rogallo Place. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Print Room Samples for Rogallo Place. Image: Christopher TippingVGL Print Room Samples for Rogallo Place. Image: Christopher Tipping
Image: Draft artwork with re-imagined stones by Christopher Tipping 2018
I have been commissioned to create artwork to be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl for the external glazing of the new Cancer Unit at Dorset County Hospital. Dorset’s pioneering new cancer unit is under construction and is due to be delivered in 2018. It is being built and operated jointly by Poole and Dorset Hospitals. My approach has been framed by a research trip I made back in June 2008 to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and to Dorchester Museums Archive Collections and the Natural History Museum in London.
Image: Christopher Tipping- Jurassic Coast Dorset 2008Image: Christopher Tipping- Display Box of Microfossils, Dorset County Museum 2008Image: Found objects and natural abstractions for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher Tipping
Ten years ago I created artwork for wayfinding and inlaid bespoke floor coverings for the corridors of the main hospital buildings and also for Maiden Castle House, which provides Psychiatric Services for the Trust. This original body of work, completed in 2010 was considered a resonant starting point for this new project in 2018 and has been instrumental in underpinning the artwork created for the Cancer Unit.
Alex Coulter, former Arts Manager, Arts in Hospital writing in 2008 said –
‘The artist, Chris Tipping, researched and recorded geological structures, fossils and land forms along the Jurassic coast as the basis for his designs. He made drawings on the coast and in Dorset County Museum’s collections and talked to geologists based at Southampton University to help inform his ideas. Chris was interested in the idea that the floors in the hospital could be interpreted as the layers or strata of the coast with fossil like patterns embedded in them and fragments and elements emerging where different layers meet. They are inlaid into the floor at key areas such as lift thresholds and at the top of staircases to help with wayfinding while smaller elements break up long expanses of corridor. It was Chris’s idea to curve the edges of the flooring and to reveal sections of designs rather as you might see a fragment in the cliff. The technology used is sophisticated with laser cutting creating elements which fit together with no need for sealant in-between. His designs enliven what would otherwise be vast expanses of plain flooring and contribute to making the hospital environment more stimulating and appealing for patients – a healing environment’.
‘Initial consultation with patients and staff suggested that the theme of the Cancer Unit artworks should evolve around nature and light, “Letting in the Light”. Medical and psychological evidence is strong that natural images, textures, patterns and light are all beneficial for wellbeing and recovery . Contact with Nature has been reported to have psychological benefits by reducing stress, improving attention, by having a positive effect on mental restoration, and by coping with attention deficits.
Natural light is important to healing and wellbeing and patients with views of open spaces get better faster. As the views from the new Cancer Unit will be limited to other hospital buildings and urban Dorchester, art can provide an alternative view for patients through translucent imagery of landscape and natural forms on windows. The window vinyls must in any case screen off views of the interior from outside by passers-by and occupiers of adjacent buildings, as necessary for patient’s actual and perceived privacy and confidentiality without the need for blinds and the accompanying loss of light’.
Dorset’s pioneering new cancer unit is under construction and due to be delivered in 2018 is being built and operated jointly by Poole and Dorset Hospitals. It will deliver world class health care for our local communities. The project will develop cancer facilities for patients all across Dorset and bring radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time. The new facilities will be life-changing, particularly for people who have previously had to travel long distances for radiotherapy services in Poole.
The unit will serve people of all ages, who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as their families. Patients who use this service are likely to be distressed and for some people, they may be living with a terminal diagnosis. The unit will be home to new linear accelerators (LINAC) – the device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It will be a multi-functional space offering life changing radiotherapy, consulting rooms and counselling rooms. The unit will also be used by support groups. The unit is being funded Dorset County Hospital Charity, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust(DCHFT), Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trustand with a major legacy from the photographer Robert White, a local man who died from cancer in 2015′.
Image: Draft Artwork for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher TippingImage: Draft Artwork – Found & re-imagined stones for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher TippingImage: Draft artwork for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher Tipping
Some brilliant new images of my project for the new Macmillan Unit at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have come to light. It is always refreshing to see how others see your work & the space it was created for. In this instance I was very kindly given permission by Mike Hearle, European Digital Marketing Manager for Construction Specialties– to use images from their website. Construction Specialities supplied and installed the solid timber handrails running through the unit. Take a look …the artwork was digitally printed and installed by VGL. The project was delivered by IBI Group Architects and Willis Newson, the UK’s leading arts and health consultancy.
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction SpecialitiesTameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft artwork awaiting approval to go into production – we are working with our client team to review / comment and approve in the next few days so we can meet our install schedule.
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
At this stage I set all the imagery against a black background – which actually indicates glazing with no printing – just clear glass.
This work will be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl. The process allows for a layer of colour, followed by a layer of white and finally another layer of colour. The artwork can be read equally from both viewing sides – inside or outside the building. The production level artwork files, sampling and final digital printing and installation is done by my long-time collaborators, Vinyl Graphics Ltd.
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher TippingDraft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Various degrees of opacity and transparency are designed into the artwork. As a rule this is worked out via single colour files – in this case magenta – which clearly indicate degrees of opacity.
Draft Magenta Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher TippingDraft Magenta Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher TippingDraft Magenta Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher TippingDraft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher TippingDraft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher TippingDraft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
This new development of 64 Extra Care Apartments at Orchard Park, recently delivered in April this year by The Riverside Group is called ‘Harrison Park’, 100 years after Jack Harrison VC a former Hull FC Rugby League Star was killed at Oppy Wood, Arras, France in 1917 during the First World War.
Today – the 3rd May 2017 marks the day all four Hull Pals Battalions took part on the attack on Oppy Wood.
A Pinterest Board of research images about Orchard Park and its history, can be found here.
Hull is currently celebrating City of Culture 2017status, so there is much to do and see there ! –
Detail: Glazing Vinyl installation Harrison Park, Hall Rd, Hull Extra Care. Artist: Christopher TippingDetail: Glazing Vinyl installation Harrison Park, Hall Rd, Hull Extra Care. Artist: Christopher Tipping