Macmillan Unit, Borders General Hospital, Melrose
Art plays an important part in improving the patient experience within healthcare settings. It helps to soften the otherwise clinical environment creating a calm and welcoming space where patients and their families can feel more relaxed. I was one of 14 artists who were invited to submit a proposal for the artwork to be incorporated into the Macmillan unit at The Borders General Hospital.
A key element of my winning proposal was the importance of involving the user group and staff to participate in the creation of the artwork. By introducing accessible textile techniques such as print and stitch, these therapeutic processes were used to engage participants and create a sense of ownership in the project.
The goal of using textiles and mixed media for a healthcare environment project is to encourage creative involvement while softening the space. By incorporating these materials, I aim to achieve a handcrafted aesthetic that feels less corporate and more accessible.
For this project the original textile mixed media artwork was box framed behind Perpex. It was also photographed and printed onto a variety of applications including patient privacy screens and vinyl window designs. Photos to follow soon.
