I'LL BE DOING THIS SKY IN MY DREAMS TONIGHT

18
From the outset, there are certain criteria which
are essential for me to. We employ only practicing
and professional artists. When I interview artists,
I look at their practice, whether in painting,
drawing, printmaking, film, video or sculpture
but I equally consider their communication skills.
We establish dedicated art spaces in each of
the hospitals we work in. I feel it is essential to
work in a non clinical space in an environment
which is notably different to the wards.
I think of Art in Hospital as giving back choices
to people who have temporarily had choices
removed from them and developing stronger
links between medicine, treatment, care and
artistic practice, which have traditionally been
seen as having no relationship. Health care is
seen as structured and functional; art is seen
as slightly anarchic and needing freedom not
context. The reality is less divided. Artists are
open and responsive to changing situations and
health care professionals are also concerned
about individuality and quality of life for patients.
In 2006 we have over eighteen artists employed
across nine hospitals. Since we began, we have
had sixty five exhibitions, we have undertaken
projects in France, Switzerland and Belgium.
We have exhibited at ten Glasgow Art Fairs.
I want Art in Hospital to be a model for other
health boards and to suggest a new way of
working between health boards and arts
funding bodies. I want to look at our work
in partnership with hospitals in Europe and
internationally and I want eventually to
see artists, patients, hospital Clinical Staff,
Administrative Staff all endorsing the important
place of art in a hospital environment.
The potential and the demand for
expansion of our work is endless.