Tag Archives: VGL Ltd

Blog, Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Public Art

Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Oxford

April 20, 2017 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Project Update – 20th April 2017

Mental Health Services at Littlemore Mental Health Centre, are directed and managed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust .

This arts in health project was commissioned for Wenric Ward , which provides Low Secure Adult Services – by Tom Cox of Artscape and the Staff of Wenric Ward.

Information about the history of the earlier Littlemore Hospital in Oxford can be accessed via this link to the Oxfordshire Health Archives and to the accompanying site about County Asylums .

Tom worked alongside Occupational Therapists Helen Keay (Senior OT) and Holly Williams, in collaborating with patients, to undertake a series of workshops centred around drawing and mark making. I was subsequently provided with access to these drawings as inspiration for the artwork, using where possible, drawing motifs, textures and colours which formed part of the outcome from the creative sessions.

The project site is created within the internal circulation space of the Ward, centred around a small external courtyard. Artwork will be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl and applied to the glazing, which provides views into the courtyard. The artwork has been commissioned to be applied on three sides of the courtyard glazing taking in the Circulation Corridor, Lounge and Multi-Faith Room, animating the space, introducing colour and detail and to visually engage patients and staff.

Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Public Art, Tameside Macmillan Unit

Main Corridor Artwork … nearly there !

January 17, 2017 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

17th January 2017

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 !

Detail: digitally printed large scale corridor Wallcovering. New Macmillan Unit. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

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.

Close up detail: digitally printed large scale corridor Wallcovering. New Macmillan Unit. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

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.

Main Corridor to the New Macmillan Unit by IBI Group Architects prior to the installation of the artworks. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

The detail strips of artwork , shown here in red, were to be sample printed by VGL at full scale for discussion and approval. Image: Christopher Tipping

Full scale strip samples of the corridor wallcovering arrived at the studio for review. Image: Christopher Tipping

Following approval of the strip samples, a full scale print run started and was installed on site for further comment and review / approval.

Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn

Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

Blog, Healthcare Projects, Public Art, Tameside Macmillan Unit

External Glazing Vinyl …

January 17, 2017 Christopher Tipping Leave a comment

Draft studio sample proof by VGL – glazing vinyl print for review and comment – Image: Christopher Tipping

Draft site installation of the glazing vinyl print for review and comment – Image: Bronwen Gwillim

Detail: Digitally printed tonal white onto optically clear vinyl manifestations. image: Bronwen Gwillim

Draft install of sample proof glazing vinyl print for review and comment – Image: Bronwen Gwillim

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.