Above and Beyond Charities - The Charitable Trust for the United Bristol Hospitals

It is recognized that the arts have a key role to play in delivering an improved patient environment. The idea of embracing arts as an integral part of hospital design has been promoted by NHS Estates, The Princes Foundation, CABE and The Kings Fund. In addition, in 2007, the Department of Health carried out a review of arts and health activity in the UK. The review demonstrated that the arts have a significant contribution to make in improving the wellbeing and health of patients, service users and carers as well as staff and those working in health and the arts.

Seven artworks were created for the Bristol Heart Institute. They ranged from a suspended sculpture in the atrium and an entrance lighting commission to wall works in the visitor and patient lift lobbies. All of the artworks were designed and developed in consultation with staff and patient groups.

The Artwork Commissions

This commission highlights the approach and main entrance façade of the new Heart Centre, guiding and welcoming people as they arrive. Jo's design lights up the building at night and provides surface interest on the façade by day. Inspiration came from the rhythm of a heart beat. Jo worked with Bristol-based GDS Lighting Solutions to fabricate and install this artwork.

The only outside space visible from within the centre, Endless Rings provides an opportunity to create impact and allow people a view of a natural environment from the atrium. Walter worked with the landscape architects, Fira, to add interest to the view into the space.

This is a suspended sculpture using the full 4 storey height of the atrium void, hanging from the ceiling alongside the main stairs to be seen from every level, including the ground floor. The aim was to create a focal point and act as a significant orientation feature.

This artwork was commissioned to enhance the reception desk and welcome people as they arrive in the OPD. It was also designed to act as a focal and orientation point.

These 2 dimensional wall work commissions can be seen by patients, visitors and staff as they arrive out of the lifts on levels 6, 7 and 8. They act as landmarks and orientation features as well as adding colour and interest to these areas.

Artworks integrated into the ceilings of the bed lifts enhance the journey for patients being moved from wards to treatment areas and vice versa. Marion collaborated with the hospital porters on this commission. The images aim is to reassure, calm and distract.

Linda worked with local school children from St Michaels on the Mount to create a high quality wall work to cover the north façade of the new Bristol Heart Institute. Linda has developed a design based on a series of large-scale columns filled with stencilled pattern. The columns will create a welcoming impression and a visual link to the woodland area opposite the facade.

Located in the atrium, the artwork recognises, thanks and credits the donors who have contributed to the Heart of Bristol Appeal. The design takes the form of a map of the local area in which the BHI is situated and a series of circles flows through the various streets each carrying the name of a donor.