Derby artists exhibit at Royal Derby Hospital

The University of Derby’s Banks Mill Studios are proud to present their exhibition, Connect, which launches at the Royal Derby Hospital on Wednesday, June 10 and runs until Monday August 31, 2015.

Connect features 11 resident artists and affiliate members from the studios whose work will brighten up the wards, corridors and waiting rooms at the hospital.

The exhibition, part of Derby Hospital’s Air Arts Programme for the spring/summer, spans over five floors of the hospital and will be launched on Wednesday June 10 with a little help from artistic duo Maison Foo.

Photography, paintings and print work make up the exhibition. Matthew Jones’ ‘New Perspectives’ collection celebrates the City of Derby and Mark Gordon’s ‘All Summer in a Day’ is inspired by Derbyshire landscapes with an added dream-like twist.

‘Illuminated Tales’ - a collaborative series between Green Door Printmaking and The Smallprint Company - will feature outside surgical wards at the hospital and explores storytelling through contemporary printmaking.

Other artists at the exhibition include: Andrew Macara, Lauren Spencer, Barbara Colbert, Jo Beattie, Victoria Brown, Kim Fowler, Kirstie Adamson and Laura Mossop.

Connect has been curated by Fi Burke, a Banks Mill Studio artist and Lead Artist on the Air Engage Programme. Talking ahead of the launch, she said: “Knowing that these very talented artists and their work makes the hospital a more welcoming place means that curating the exhibition has been an absolute joy.”

Karen Holland, Co-ordinator at Banks Mill Studios, added: ““We are pleased at Banks Mill Studios to offer the artists we support this fantastic opportunity to showcase their artwork to a much wider audience and we hope it will offer a welcome distraction for patients and visitors to the hospital.”

Air is Derby Hospital’s arts charity proving positive creative interactions for patients, staff and visitors. Over the past seven years, Air Arts has been taking visual art, dance, drama, poetry and music into the Royal Derby and London Road Community Hospitals.

Laura Waters, Arts Programme Manager for Air Arts, said: “The standard of work for this exhibition is extremely high and we have a huge variety of work to show this summer. We’ve also created a map to help patients and visitors find their way around the site, and for staff to help guide.”

Paul Brooks, Assistant Director of Facilities at Derby Royal Hospital, added: “It’s fantastic that the arts team have worked with Banks Mill and the University of Derby to put together such an uplifting exhibition for the hospital.

“We are fortunate to have such a wealth of local talent to draw upon and the hospital makes a perfect exhibition space to showcase their artwork.”

Find out more about exhibitions at Banks Mill Studios