I'LL BE DOING THIS SKY IN MY DREAMS TONIGHT

The first question we asked
ourselves in this study of the
work of Art in Hospital was
how to approach it. What
attitude, state of mind, was
needed in order for the
project’s emotional and artistic
substance to reveal itself? In
the end, the research process
we used was not based on
scientifically proven data, if
such is necessary to make
a convincing case, but on a
process of rational deduction
from individual perspectives,
representing them through
their own words and images.
As we entered into the world
of Art in Hospital, the rules of
interaction between the artists
and participants sometimes
seemed so fluid that they
could only be determined by
the dynamics of each individual
situation. However, what was
clear was that no evaluation
of hospital-based art practice
could be made without some
understanding of context. Art in
healthcare practice is shaped by
a particular place and particular
conditions and a particular
artistic and political moment.
It is designed to respond to
very particular situations.
Unless these situations are
experienced to some degree, is
it very hard for any evaluation
to be responsible or just?
Art in Hospital raises as many
questions as it answers. It is
driven by a belief in people
and a faith in the ability of
art to deal with social crisis.
This document aims simply to
illustrate the extraordinary
journey Art in Hospital is making
for everyone involved in some
way with the organisation;
from health care professionals
to funders, and in particular
for the artists and clients.
We hope it will inspire the
confidence in policy makers
to make a more sustained
and confident commitment
to this kind of partnership.
Penny Rae author
Carl Cordonnier photographer
October 2006
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