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Lead Artist: HULL LIFT NHS

Lead Artist in association with Tom Lomax (former Slade staff member). A major innovative arts in health scheme in Hull, ranked as England’s ninth most deprived city. Research in the health sector had established that art in health centres had a positive outcome to patient health, reducing return visits. This major project was the first LIFT/ NHS art and health public partnership to involve artists in primary health care. Six new build primary health care centres, commissioning of major art works by nine artists, including two works by Edward Allington: The Clouds, and The Bees. The Clouds at Longhill Healthcare centre used honeycomb aluminium and special paints to create a landscape within the curve of the atrium of the building which changed in the light. The Bees based on the rediscovery of the wool carder bee in the local environment, through the community work of a writer commissioned for the project, reflecting the inherent beauty still within the city. The artists worked on signage and colour schemes with the aim to bring a warmer ambience to the centres. The key aim of the research was to set an example of new practice through the use of colour, form, community engagement, and the development of a print library, using the Slade’s digital print facilities commissioning twenty-nine Slade related artists established and emerging: a total of 87 prints. The first print project of its kind involving collaboration between primary health care and a major art school. The main collection is installed in the health centres. One set is part of the UCL Art Collection for teaching purposes, another set is located in the collection of the New Art Gallery Walsall. The project involved intensive consultation with all partners within the project and the local community. The scheme has won major awards.