Welcome to Paintings in Hospitals

Paintings in Hospitals holds a unique place in the history of the arts in health sector in this country and is still the only organisation of its kind operating at a national level. Founded in 1959 and registered as a charity in 1972, its objectives are to improve the environment of hospitals and other healthcare establishments by providing original works of art on loan. Today the charity delivers this service to over 250 hospitals, hospices and other healthcare facilities across England, Wales and Ireland and benefits many millions of NHS patients, staff and visitors each year.

View a list of hospitals currently subscribing to the service.

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"The paintings are a talking point for us; they lift and soften the atmosphere. The paintings jog the memory and remind us of places we have visited and things we have done in the past. This can facilitate discussion with the group, which often leads to other topics being talked about." Patient Discussion, Tapping House Hospice

About Paintings in Hospitals

Paintings in Hospitals is committed to supplying art work to as many healthcare sites as possible, including those in rural areas. Our team at our head office in London is supported by volunteers who manage our branches in the North, Wales, Midlands, East, Ireland, London and the South West.

In addition to our picture loan service, the charity runs a series of specialist arts projects. These have included working with the elderly, mental health organisations and community groups.

Paintings in Hospitals relies on grants and donations to continue its work and is grateful for the support provided by the general public, hospitals participating in our loan schemes and to the various grant-giving trusts. To find out more about the various ways you can help, please visit the support us section above.

The charity also operates an exhibition space, the Menier Gallery near London Bridge, London.

Paintings in Hospitals is grateful to the Department of Health for recognizing the importance of arts in health initiatives in improving an individual’s health and sense of wellbeing. We remain committed to making our services available to all, and welcome the support provided by the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust and University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust in helping to display our picture loan collections.   

Departement of Health Logo  

University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust

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example painting from collection

Michelle House,
'Lime Oval',
printed textile, 1999

The Board of Trustees

  • Mr Frank Harding, CA – Chairman
  • Mr David Brooks – Treasurer
  • Ms Marjorie Alltorpe-Guyton
  • Mr Tim Burt
  • Mr Brendon Finucane QC
  • Mr Anthony Fry
  • Dr Duncan Geddes
  • Ms Nicola Green
  • Mr Alan Hitchcock
  • Ms Anita Klein
  • Mr James Prichard
  • Ms Morvah Stubbings
Patron: HRH the Prince of Wales

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Our Team

Head Office

Director: Stuart Davie
Senior Curator:  Rachel Stewart
Exhibitions & Collection Technician:  Margaret Proudfoot
Gallery Coordinator & Communications Coordinator: Caron Pelletier
Administrator: Stephen Jackson

Regional Branches

PiH (London and South East)
Regional Lead: Ms Beth Moseley

PiH (East)
Regional Chairman: Mr Gordon Cummings (Volunteer)

PiH (Midlands)
Regional Lead: Ms Rachel Stewart

PiH (North)
Regional Chairman: Mr Alan Hitchcock (Volunteer)

PiH (Wales)
Regional Chairman: Ms Rachel Stewart

PiH (Northern Ireland)
Regional Lead: Ms Rachel Stewart

PiH (South West)
Regional Lead: Ms Rachel Stewart

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Funding and Support

Paintings in Hospitals relies on grants and donations to continue its work. We are most grateful to the many donors and supporters who have assisted us in the past year and in particular to:

  • Department of Health
  • Garfield Weston Foundation
  • Arts Council England, East
  • J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust
  • The Welton Foundation
  • The Max Reinhardt Charitable Trust
  • The Pilkington General Charity
  • The Swire Charitable Trust
  • Sir James Knott Charitable Trust
  • The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
  • Glass House Trust
  • PP Goodhart Charitable Trust
  • Mrs J E Hawes Charitable Trust
  • Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement
  • Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP
  • Bonhams
  • Urban Space Management and the Greenwich Market

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Why Put Art in Hospitals?

The charity's aim is to provide original works of art in an effective and low cost way that will enhance the healthcare environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Like architecture and interior design, the artwork that we have around us can significantly influence the way we feel on a day to day basis. Whilst art is not central to the function of a hospital, there are many benefits that art can bring to the healthcare environment.

Pleasant surroundings and well-maintained buildings lift staff morale and improve the public's perception of an organisation. In addition, carefully selected artworks can have a mediating effect between the individual and the institution, helping to make staff more aware of their surroundings and providing a more comfortable and less threatening environment for patients.

Research into the design of hospitals and the effect of the environment on patients and staff demonstrates that our surroundings have a clear impact on the effectiveness with which treatment and care is both delivered and received. For further information on these findings go to www.healthyhospitals.org.uk

Paintings in Hospitals offers healthcare organisations the opportunity to display interesting and original works of art for a modest rental fee and no capital outlay. Better still, healthcare organisations have the option to exchange the pictures periodically, at no extra cost (excluding transportation).

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Local Branch Finder

Please click on the regions of the map to see the regional branch for that area or click on the list of regional branch offices to the right.

Map of UK

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Prints for Sale

45th Anniversary Print Portfolio

To mark the 45th anniversary of the charity, Paintings in Hospitals put together a portfolio of original artists’ prints (see below) by eight Royal Academicians that are being sold to raise funds to further the work of the charity.

The portfolio includes works by Norman Ackroyd, Craigie Aitchison, Peter Blake, Eileen Cooper, Albert Irvin, John Hoyland, Tom Phillips and Chris Orr and has been generously supported by the specialist insurers, Hiscox. The prints are available individually or as a complete set.

Paintings in Hospitals is extremely grateful to all the artists who kindly donated prints for this portfolio. In addition we would like to thank Advanced Graphics London, Blackbird Editions, Coriander Studios, Hiscox, The Railings Gallery and The Royal Academy of Arts for their generous support of this project.

To order any of the prints outlined below, complete the attached order form. For further information about the portfolio, contact the charity’s head office on 0207 407 3222. Unframed box sets are available on request.

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Print Portfolio

Norman Ackroyd

Norman Ackroyd RA, Lakeside, Winter

Aquatint, 2004
Edition of 90
Image size: 26cm x 21.5cm (10” x 8”)
Paper size: 35.5cm x 28cm (14” x 11”)
Price: £300.00
Signed in pencil
Commissioned for Paintings in Hospitals by the artist
Printed and published by the artist

Cypress Tree, Montecastelli

Craigie Aitchison RA, Cypress Tree, Montecastelli
Screenprint, 2004
Edition of 75
Image Size: 15cm x 12cm (6" x 5"), Paper Size: as above (presented in a 2" window mount)
Price: £529.00
Printed and published by Advanced Graphics London
Presented to Paintings in Hospitals by the artist and Advanced Graphics London
Image courtesy of Advanced Graphics London

Peter Blake

Peter Blake RA, The Tuileries
Screenprint, 2004
Edition of 200
Image size: 45cm x 34cm (16” x 13”)
Paper size: 61cm x 51cm (24” x 20”)
Price:£580.00
Commissioned for Paintings in Hospitals by the artist and Coriander Studios
Printed by Coriander Studios and published by the artist and Coriander Studios

Private View

Eileen Cooper RA, Private View
Etching, 2004
Edition of 100
Image size: 20cm x 12.5cm (8” x 5”)
Paper size: 51cm x 38cm (20” x 15”)
Signed in pencil
Price: £200.00
Commissioned for Paintings in Hospitals by the artist and Blackbird Editions
Printed by Sara Lee at Blackbird Editions/published by the artist and Blackbird Editions

John Hoyland

John Hoyland RA, The Gnome
Screenprint, 2005
Edition of 200
Image size: 53cm x 45cm (21” x 17”)
Paper size: as above
Signed in pencil
Price: £580.00
Commissioned for Paintings in Hospitals by the artist and Coriander Studios
Printed by Coriander Studios and published by the artist and Coriander Studios

Angel

Albert Irvin RA, Angel
Screenprint, 2003
Edition of 125
Image size: 32.5cm x 38.5cm (123/4“ x 15“)
Paper size: 45.25cm x 54cm (17“ x 211/4“)
Signed in pencil
Price: £470.00
Printed and published by Advanced Graphics London
Presented to Paintings in Hospitals by the artist and Advanced Graphics London
Image courtesy of Advanced Graphics London

Toys

Chris Orr RA, Toys
Lithograph, 2004
Edition of 100
Image/Paper size: 56.5cm x 76.5cm (22¼" x 30¼")
Price: £270.00
Commissioned for Paintings in Hospitals by the artist
Printed and published by the artist

The Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens

Tom Phillips RA, The Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens
Screenprint, 2004
Edition of 200
Image size: 26cm x 31cm (10” x 12”)
Paper size: 51.5cm x 55cm (201/4” x 211/2”)
Signed in pencil
Price: £580.00
Commissioned for Paintings in Hospitals by the artist and Coriander Studios
Printed by Coriander Studios and published by the artist and Coriander Studios

Also available from Paintings in Hospitals are these two prints by Patrick Procktor RA and Rachel Nicholson commissioned in 1999 as part of the charity's 40th Anniversary celebrations.

Still Life

Patrick Procktor RA, Still Life
Screenprint, 1999
Edition of 100
Image/Paper size: 68.5cm x 45.5cm (27" x 18")
Price £325.00
Printed by The Gresham Studio

Still Life (St Ives)

Rachel Nicholson, Still Life (St Ives) SOLD OUT
Lithograph, 1999
Edition of 100
Image Size: 40.5cm x 54cm (16" x 21¼")
Paper Size: 55cm x 67cm (21½" x 26½")
Price £225.00
Printed by Curwen Chilford

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Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award 2009

An Artist in Residence Project and Commission – Year 5

Paintings in Hospitals (PiH) was founded in 1959 to provide original works of art for display in hospitals and other healthcare facilities for the relief of people receiving treatment and to improve the healthcare environment experienced by visitors and staff.  The PiH collection now includes 4,000 works of art on loan to more than 250 hospitals, hospices and healthcare centres in England, Ireland and Wales.

The Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award was established in 2005 when PiH received a grant from the Max Reinhardt Charitable Trust to set up and run an annual artist in residence project, to be based at a different NHS hospital each year, for a period of five years.  The award was established as a memorial to Alexandra Reinhardt, an artist who died aged 43 in 2004, having battled with a rare blood disorder all her life.  The first residency was hosted by Great Ormond Street Hospital and the second took place in The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The third an artist worked at Mile End Hospital in East London. Last years residency was at The Cancer Centre Young People’s Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Birmingham.

Paintings in Hospitals was founded in 1959 at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square, London. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Charity the fifth Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Prize will be based in the Hospital's Neurorehabilitation Unit (NRU). The award is open to artists using a range of media, i.e. painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, and wall-mounted sculpture. The project aims to provide opportunities for patients, staff and visitors to observe and participate in the creative process of an artist and bring the enjoyment of art and artworks into the NRU. The artist will be required to involve participants in stimulating and enjoyable creative activities, suitable for the ward and its users, and give those involved opportunities for self-expression. As an outcome of the project the artist will be required to produce one artwork for the NRU which will improve or add to the existing Hospital environment, and one artwork to help broaden the PiH collection. In addition to the residency project the artist will be given the opportunity of a two week exhibition at PiH’s gallery in the Menier Chocolate Factory in March 2010. 

Background to the Neurorehabilitation Unit

This is an 18 bed in patient unit was opened in 1999.  It specializes in the management of people with neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord damage, cerebral palsy and genetic disorders. The aim of the unit is to bridge the gap between the hospital environment and home by improving an individual’s physical, psychological and social skills usually over an intense two to four week period. Carers are actively encouraged to participate in the work of the unit and will be encouraged to take part in the residency.

The NRU is divided into four spaces: the ward area, dining/lounge room, the therapy area with gym and kitchen plus the space between this and the dining room, where individual therapy rooms are located. There will be space available for an artist to store equipment but no on site studio facility.

Patients need to be able to sit for at least an hour twice a day but an artist will need to work around different ability levels both physically and in terms of memory and concentration.

Location and Timescale:
The residency will take place at the NRU twice weekly over a twelve week period from the start of June to the end of September 2009 subject to an artists’ availability.
Artworks must be completed by 1 December 2009.

Please not that PiH is unable to provide studio accommodation and the artist will be required to make arrangements for such a facility if required. 

Selection Criteria and Process:

Each artist will devise her/his own working process in relation to the needs and interests of the designated ward and its users. The artist should understand that their working process must be flexible.

We are particularly interested in hearing from artists with relevant experience of working with vulnerable people in a healthcare setting and who are confident in their approach.  The selection of each artist will be made on the following criteria:

  • relevant previous experience
  • strength of the proposal / outline put forward
  • the proposed working process / media
  • examples of your previous works and the suitability of the proposed works for permanent display in the hospital and inclusion in the PiH Collection

The appointed artist will need a Criminal Records Bureau check to be carried out by the hospital.

Contact time:

An appropriate amount of contact time for working in the designated ward will be agreed between PiH, the hospital and the artist. The aim of the contact time is for the artist to engage with patients and staff, facilitating an exchange of ideas and encouraging participation through discussion and activities where appropriate. A member of the hospital staff will be available to the artist during contact sessions and the Project Manager from Paintings in Hospitals will support the artist over the course of the residency through visits and meetings.

Production time for artworks:

The artist is expected to produce one finished art work for permanent display in the hospital and a second piece for the PiH loan collection. The residency period may be perceived as a time of research towards the production of finished work, OR, the work produced in collaboration with patients during contact sessions may become central to the finished works. All completed work will need to be wall mounted and all work must be produced in accordance with health and safety regulations.  Works must be suitable for permanent exhibition in the hospital and for PIH’s loan collection. Site visits will be made to the artist during the production of final artworks.

Fees and Costs:

The artist’s Residency Fee totals £10,000. This fee covers the residency period of 2 days per week for 12 weeks, materials to be used during the residency, production time and the materials required for final artworks. Framing, presentation and installation costs for the two final pieces will be covered by PiH separately. Travel and other additional expenses are not refundable by PiH.

The majority of costs (rental of gallery space, invitation and opening night) for the artists Menier Gallery exhibition in 2010 will be covered by Paintings in Hospitals. Any costs in addition to the financial support provided by PiH must be met by the artist.

TO APPLY:

Please send up to 10 slides / photographs / images of your work on disk, your CV and a supporting letter outlining your interest in the project and detailing relevant experience.  In addition to this, please complete and return the application form, describing a possible approach that you may take to the residency, your chosen media and working method to involve patients, visitors and staff. 

Deadline for receipt of applications:

5pm, Friday 20 February 2009. Short-listed candidates will be contacted by Friday 13 March and we regret that due to the number of entries we are unable to give feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Receipt of your entry will only be acknowledged if you enclose a stamped addressed postcard with your application. If you require the return of your application you will need to enclose a stamped addressed envelope (pre-paid registered post if required).

Interviews:
Short-listed candidates will be invited to interview on Wednesday 25 March 2009.

Please send your application to: 

Rachel Stewart, Senior Curator, Paintings in Hospitals, First Floor,
Menier Chocolate Factory, 51 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU

Applicants are specifically asked NOT to contact staff in the Neurorehabilitation Unit at the National Hospital for Neurology for further information on this project. 


Supported by

Hiscock

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