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Blog, Healthcare Projects, Public Art, Tameside Macmillan Unit

Tameside Macmillan Unit Arts Group Meeting

April 29, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

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 — 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:

27th April 2016 TMU Draft Artwork Review

“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 Director Willis Newson

The project was also featured online this week by Building Better Healthcare.

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 Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft Artwork for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Detail: Draft Artwork 1 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Artwork 1 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Detail: Draft Artwork 2 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Artwork 2 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Detail: Draft Artwork 3 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Detail: Draft Artwork 3 of 3 for the Circulation Corridor Wall. Image: Project Artist Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Draft development - Ink Drawing of Wild Garlic. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Ink Drawing of Wild Garlic. Image: Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Draft development - Ink Drawing of Reeds. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Ink Drawing of Reeds. Image: Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Draft development - Ink Drawing of Branch with leaves. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Ink Drawing of Branch with leaves. Image: Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Draft development - Drawing of Gritsone. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Drawing of Gritsone. Image: Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Draft development - Abstract Drawing of Field Pattern. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside Macmillan Unit – Draft development – Abstract Drawing of Field Pattern. Image: Christopher Tipping

Tameside Macmillan Unit - Draft Stage Art Group Review Meeting. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside 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.

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.

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Landscape, Public Art, Public Realm, Tameside Macmillan Unit

Stewart’s walk plan…

April 9, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

“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 — 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

Patterns in brickwork

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Public Art, Tameside Macmillan Unit

Tameside Macmillan Unit

March 12, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Thursday 10th March 2016

In February I was appointed as artist to the Tameside Macmillan Unit project.

The commission was offered by Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Macmillan Cancer Environments.

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 Architects supported by KKE Architects delivering 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.

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Public Art, Public Realm, Tameside Macmillan Unit

12 miles in 6 hours – Part One – 09.30am to 10.52am

March 12, 2016 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Saturday 27th February 2016

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 Bank and 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.

Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

The first view of Wild Bank in the distance !

Crossing the M67 - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Crossing the M67 – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

A sign of things to come - very wet, very muddy ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — A sign of things to come – very wet, very muddy ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Passing Farm Buildings - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Passing Farm Buildings – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Landmarks and details. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Landmarks and details. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Into a wooded Dell - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Into a wooded Dell – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Signs of Spring - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Signs of Spring – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

A landmark tree - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — A landmark tree – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Footpath Footpath ! - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Footpath Footpath ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Last year's grasses - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Last year’s grasses – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Marsh and flood - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Marsh and flood – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Over the golf Course - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Over the golf Course – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

10.30am - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 10.30am – Stalybridge Celtic Football Ground – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

10.31am - Down the narrow path by Inglewood Coach House - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 10.31am – Down the narrow path by Inglewood Coach House – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

10.32am - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 10.32am – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

10.33am - It's like we are in someone's garden ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 10.33am – It’s like we are in someone’s garden ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Ashes Cottage built 1717 - its been on the telly ! - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Ashes Cottage built 1717 – its been on the telly ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

...and via a bit of suburbia - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — …and via a bit of suburbia – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

10.45am - Finally we hit the Farmers' Fields and open countryside. We didn't break the fence ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 10.45am – Finally we hit the farmer’s fields and open countryside. We didn’t break the fence ! The farmer was muck-spreading – the air was very ripe ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Farm, Horses, Chickens - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — White Farm, Horses, Ponies, Chickens – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Colour ! - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Colour ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Colourful assemblage ! - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Colourful assemblage ! – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Public Art, Public Realm, Tameside Macmillan Unit

12 Miles in 6 hours – Part Two – 10.52am to 2.13pm

March 12, 2016 Christopher Tipping 1 Comment

Saturday 27th February 2016

OK – so better get a move on – realised I have already shown loads of images in the space of one hour’s walking ! With 5 more hours to go I had better move quickly on ! –

Map-like tracery on farm windows - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Map-like tracery on farm windows – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Stewart Ramsden looking back towards Ashton-Under-Lyne. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Stewart Ramsden looking back towards Ashton-Under-Lyne. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Stewart Ramsden - heading up the ridge path towards Wild Bank. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Stewart Ramsden – heading up the ridge path towards Wild Bank. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Just after mid-day, both landscape and temperature changes are quite dramatic. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Just after mid-day, both landscape and temperature changes are quite dramatic. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

The path to the top ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — The path to the top ! Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Triangulation point at 399m summit of Wild Bank with 360 degree views. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Triangulation point at 399m summit of Wild Bank with 360 degree views. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Stewart Ramsden

Stewart at the summit with coffee ! The views are brilliant & images don't do justice to them. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Stewart at the summit with coffee ! The views are brilliant & images don’t do justice to them. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Top of Wild Bank - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Top of Wild Bank – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Bitterly cold up here, the ground is frozen. Can't hang around. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Bitterly cold up here, the ground is frozen. Can’t hang around. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

12.39 - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 12.39 – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Stone had been quarried here - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Stone had been quarried here – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Higher & Lower Swineshaw Reservoirs are now in view - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Higher & Lower Swineshaw Reservoirs are now in view – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Sheltered and protected from the wind in the lee of this massive dry stone wall escarpment - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Sheltered and protected from the wind in the lee of this massive dry stone wall escarpment – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Lower Swineshaw Reservoir in the distance - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Lower Swineshaw Reservoir in the distance – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Three trees & a sign post - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Three trees, a stile and a sign-post. Stopped for some lunch – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Walking around Lees Hill. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — 1.36pm Walking around Lees Hill. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Fantastic Moss and Lichens cover stones here...Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Fantastic Moss and Lichens cover stones here…Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Arnfield Reservoir is just to the right of this image - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Arnfield Reservoir is just to the right of this image – Most of the land is criss-crossed with dry stone walls. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Dry stone wall turned green - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Dry stone wall turned green – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Mature trees on path to Hollingworth Hall Farm - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Mature trees on path to Hollingworth Hall Farm – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Lovely detail - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Lovely detail – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Hollingworth Hall Farm - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Hollingworth Hall Farm – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Hollingworth Hall Farm sign - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Hollingworth Hall Farm sign – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Public Footpath No. 198 Stalybridge via Shaw Moor. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Public Footpath No. 198 Stalybridge via Shaw Moor. Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping

Up a narrow path between fields and on towards Moorside Farm - Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit - Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping — Up a narrow path between fields and on towards Moorside Farm – Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Art Project Research Walk. Image: Christopher Tipping