Commissions
2022
Life Through the Lens: HMP YOI Isis
A series of workshops offering a small group of inmates at HMP YOI Isis an opportunity to discuss and create images that show an insight into their experiences before and during their time in prison using photography as a vehicle for expression. Assisted by Kyle Bennett who has lived experience of knife crime. Helping to underpin these workshops there was additional tuition on writing and confidence building skills lead by commissioned artists and teachers who are skilled at working with young people. The workshops were co-authored with Rebecca Friel MBE, CEO of Odd Arts who has several years of experience in this field and supported by the National Clinical Director for Violence Reduction, NHS England, Trauma Surgeon Martin Griffiths.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England
2020/21
Culture Box Study – Visual Arts Lead
Promoting social interaction and public health through the arts in the time of Covid-19.
Headed by Professor Victoria Tischler Culture Box is a project conducted by the Universities of West London and Exeter and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council that aims to see how the arts can be used to alleviate social isolation and loneliness while improving the wellbeing of people living with dementia. The creative team also included Julian West, Head of Open Academy, Royal Academy of Music, Dr Errol Francis, Content Producer and Vanessa Otim, Production Assistant.
2020
B12 Deficiency Patient Engagement Workshop
Invited by Dr Natasha Tyler to work with people who live with the B12 Deficiency condition to create visuals that illustrate their patient experience and highlight concerns of quality and safety. Dr Tyler has lived experience of vitamin B12 deficiency and is working to conduct research to improve the quality and safety of care that patients with this condition receive. Funded by University of Manchester Engaging Our Communities Fund.
2018/19
A dry and silent world: living with hidden disabilities
King’s College London and the Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology.
In collaboration with:
Professor Abigail Tucker (Evolution and Development)
Dr Tathyane Harumi Nakajima Teshima, Dr Monireh Mozaffari and Dr Doris Cuckovic
The central idea of the project is that the ear and salivary glands are anatomically hidden and the resulting disability from the dysfunction of these organs is in turn overlooked. Drawing attention and awareness of relevant clinicians is essential to enhance the care of these vulnerable patient groups.
Brokered and supported by the Cultural Institute at King’s.
2011/17
Patient As Paper
Founded in 2012 by artist Emma Barnard MA (RCA) and ENT (Head and Neck) consultant surgeon Mike Papesch, FRACS, the ‘Patient As Paper’ project is a collaboration between an artist and surgeons to investigate and demonstrate the patient experience and pathway. It encourages doctors, medical professionals and students to reflect on being a receiver of medical care and its impact on people, giving patients a “visual voice” and reflecting some of the harsh realities people endure in their pursuit of ‘getting better’. It deliberately avoids questionnaires and provides people with a ‘clean slate’ to express their thoughts, fears, aspirations and worries – all part of being in our healthcare system – and draws to attention the degree of depersonalisation that inevitably occurs when people are hospitalised.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
‘For the medical staff this project has broadened their views on their appreciation of patient experience. There has been a lot of interest in this work by the hospital doctors at both the consultant an junior level. The nursing staff have also found this work interesting. This artistic study provides a valuable contribution to the evaluation of patient experience. I strongly support and recommend the on going study and wish it all success’.
Abir K Bhattacharyya
Associate Director of Medical Education (Surgery)
Consultant ENT Surgeon and Royal College Surgical Tutor
'As a patient I took part in the arts project 'Patient As Paper' with the artist in residence in the ENT Department. Found this to be very helpful in coming to terms with my condition and dealing with being in such a scary environment. This is a fantastic initiative, would definitely recommend'.
2016
World Congress in Bioethics 2016 Arts and Ethics Exhibition, Edinburgh
Invited to sit on the Arts and Ethics Subcommittee and curate an exhibition of work to include visual and installation art that explores the integration of arts and ethics. A guided tour of the exhibition led by the curator took place.
This is the first time that an exhibition has taken place alongside the IAB World Congress.
'Thanks to you as artist and curator for helping to bring a beautiful added dimension to the IAB2016 It was absolutely brilliant. Thanks so much!'
Professor Graeme Laurie Chair, IAB2016 Organising Committee
2015
Jack Cornwell 100 public art Commission
Commissioned by the London Borough of Newham Council to work with the people that use the Jack Cornwell community centre to create a public artwork to commemorate one hundred years since the death of this brave young man, Jack Cornwell at age sixteen. On July 1st 2015 Britain marked a century since the start of one of the bloodiest battles in British history.
Launched on the 15th July 2016 attended by:
Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Member of Parliament for East Ham
Sir Robin Wales - Mayor of Newham