In 2010 we worked with artists from Crouch End Open Studios to exhibit artworks by the collective at the Hornsey Central Neighbourhood Health Centre.

The Centre, a newly-designed three-storey building, occupied the site of the old Hornsey Central Cottage Hospital. It aimed to provide nearly 20 different health services under one roof, as well as a venue for other wellbeing events run by the community. The centre was conceived in line with the King’s Fund recent research and reports on the positive health outcomes that well-designed healthcare settings can have.

In line with this ethos Haringey Councillor David Winskill suggested that artists from Crouch End Open Studios be invited to exhibit their work in order to bring the centre's bare walls alive. Artists from the collective contacted Paintings in Hospitals to realise the project and create a stimulating and uplifting patient environment.

Between March and June 2010, Paintings in Hospitals worked with the artists from the collective, most of which were also patients of the Centre, to curate the exhibition. Works by artists Helen Lindon, Sue Williams A’Court, Lara Harwood, Richard Peacock, Sanne Tang, Maureen Harrison, Ahmed Farooqui, Lucy Pashley and Kim Valdez were selected and donated to the Paintings in Hospitals collection. Once framed with the generous support of John Jones framers, the works were carefully exhibited throughout Hornsey Central Neighbourhood Health Centre.

The exhibition, on long term loan from the Paintings in Hospitals collection helped bring the new building to life and strengthen links between the community and Hornsey Central Neighbourhood Health Centre. Feedback collected during interviews with artists and patients highlight that the works had:

• softened the atmosphere
• helped patients feel valued
• helped reduce stress levels in waiting areas.

See more of our past projects...