Late 2021, artist Hailey Beavis began a series of art making workshops at the Western General Hospital. The workshops are supported by Senior Charge Nurse Carol Paterson and form part of programme in the Meaningful Activity Centre.
The small, intimate group, allowed Hailey to work with individuals and tune in to how they were doing, how they like to work, and how best to work with them.
The first session got off to a bright start, with sunshine pouring through the windows, creating a warm and welcoming feeling, more akin to a social club than a hospital meeting room. Using music played through a small speaker, with songs requested by the patients, Hailey created a relaxed atmosphere which got the group interacting.
Art materials including coloured card, old memorabilia and postcard were laid on a table, with percussive instruments for those who found it harder to engage with the art activities. Patients’ confidence grew throughout the session with painting, mark making, chatting, singing, dancing and drumming.
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As sessions continue into 2022 they have retained the same organic feeling and versatility of materials, with sensory still life sessions including scented foliage such as rosemary, and activities using high contrast materials – white on black – for participants with visual impairments.
Staff have commented that patients have been looking forward to the workshops, talking about them beforehand and this can be seen in the sessions themselves with participants bringing along extra materials, progressing their work, breaking out of their routines, and opening up – cracking jokes and reminiscing – and apparently sleeping better.
You may remember our Vitrine Project at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which brought together artists, staff and patients across different wards in a series of workshops to create artworks which form a diorama in the vitrines (two-sided glass spaces) that separate the communal living and dining areas in each ward.
For the first time since March 2020 the team have brought their creative projects back on to the wards and are really delighted to be back working with everyone again. Anne, Laura Lees and OT Samantha Philips have been working with Eden Ward – the female care for the elderly ward – to create individual fish out of textiles, which will all come together to create a large collective shoal in the vitrine. As you’ll see it’s a work in progress at the moment, but so far things are coming along swimmingly…
Eden Ward’s Vitrine Full of Fish
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In last year’s post ‘Something Fishy in Eden Ward’s Vitrine’ we wrote about the beautiful textile fish which were being created in artist Laura Lee’s workshops on Eden Ward – the female care for the elderly ward at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Patients worked jointly to make individual fish by using the technique called applique, whereby different bits of fabric were place on a fabric fish template. Participants were encouraged to mark make instead of using traditional embroidery stitches and the results have been staggering. A rich variety of iridescent fabrics and threads created the detailed surface textures and patterns of scales in hand embroidery.
The fish are now finished and have been installed in the Eden Ward vitrine to produce an eye-catching underwater diorama, adding interest to the ward, and showcasing the wonderful work of the patients.
Artlink partner in delivering the Tonic Arts Participatory Programme on behalf of the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation.
Stitching in solidarity, Fiona, Maggie, Joan and Giuseppe at The Glasshouses joined Stitches For Survival to produce a panel for their 1.5 mile long scarf which is being used to campaign locally and nationally during COP26.
Members knitted, crocheted, stitched and crafted 1.5 miles of climate messages for the negotiators to urge them to take bold and binding action together. Mass-craftivism to put the Earth centre-stage at COP26. The length of the scarf represents the 1.5°C target in the Paris Agreement.
Some of the banners were completed too late for the main event at Glasgow Green during the start of November so The Glasshouses are creating our own display in the grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. To help continue this creative campaigning get in touch with Anne if you’d like to make a panel. Anne Elliot anne@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
Artlink partner in delivering the Tonic Arts Participatory Programme on behalf of the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation.
Textile artist Laura Lees ‘In Stitches’ online sewing project proved so popular during lockdown that we couldn’t wait to explore more ways of making with her when we returned to The Glasshouses at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Now know as ‘Common Thread’ workshops started up in July taking wannabe makers and skilled sewers on a new in-person creative journey.
When restrictions permitted the workshops were also taken into the Rehab Art Room located in the Andrew Duncan Clinic to work alongside the Occupational Therapy Team with individual patients attending the group from the Rehabilitation wards.
Beginning with embroidery thread and felt, individual birds were produced which could be hung together into a mobile, that now takes pride of place in the Rehab Art Room.
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One of the big hits so far has been experimenting with weaving plastic. Working with recycled materials, a huge tarpaulin donated artist Sharon Averbuch (check out the photos of the tarps at their original home in Australia below!) Laura deconstructed the tarps, experimenting and creating wonderful large-scale, colourful woven pieces. No needles required, no fraying fabric, just many hands excited by the freedom of this way of working and instant dramatic effect.
The plastic weavings have truly transformed the fence surrounding The Glasshouses and are a sign of more exciting things to come through the Laura Lees workshops and the Common Thread Project at the Royal Edinburgh.
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Artlink partner in delivering the Tonic Arts Participatory Programme on behalf of the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation.
Workshops, exhibition, sited works in the courtyard and outside the ADC art room.
Over the last period, artist Nick Evans, Occupational Therapist Jennifer Dawson and patients worked together in the Andrew Duncan Clinic art room.
The last year has been strange for everyone, so when we could, we worked directly with people in the space. When restrictions didn’t allow for that, Jenny kept things going with the group, while Nick supported the group remotely. We loved your determination to keep going!
As with most of Artlink workshops it’s the process that’s important. The simple act of getting alongside people and making things together is such a lovely thing to do. A calm, supportive and non clinical atmosphere helps everyone relax, and from there the creativity usually flows.
We think the work they produced is incredible and if you missed the exhibition you can still see the 4 plaques in the courtyard just beside the canteen, and the other artwork just outside the ADC art room.
We all know that when opportunities arise to work together, that it makes the process a more complete and valuable experience for everyone involved so we would like to thank our colleagues Jennifer Dawson, Becky Brazil and Hans Clausen for their contributions and help within the project.
Artlink partner in delivering the Tonic Arts Participatory Programme on behalf of the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation.
Who would have thought birds and skulls go together? We do now! We love Yvonne’s creative use of stitches and colour. And where did she get those headphones?!
Yvonne says, “This is an ode to Frida (Kahlo). My inspiration was Mexico and the Day of the Dead. I love Frida Kahlo and the bright colours … appliqué is a craft I haven’t done before, so I find the group is teaching me new skills and I love seeing it come together.”
We were asked by the Edinburgh and Lothian Health Foundation’s Tonic Arts to contribute to their on line tutorials. I think you will agree that Mandy and Joan are stars in the making!
Back in February 2021 during the darkest, coldest month of the year and yet another ‘stay at home’ lockdown in place, a group called ‘In Stitches’ was established.
Artist Laura Lees and a growing band of sewers met up in the virtual realm. Using smart phones and online video platforms the group were supported by Anne Elliot and Patrick O’Growney from Artlink.
Most of the participants have been involved with Artlink for many years through different projects. Although this was a new way of working together, everyone took to it with enthusiasm as they not only learnt new techniques but could talk and share within the group. Believe me when I say WhatsApp chat and images were pinging left, right and centre!
Here’s a couple of quotes from the group:
“Great; it’s the human interaction that counts. I‘ve enjoyed each project and working with others to see their interpretation and creations, as well as sharing ideas.” Dorothy
“Well, I thought it wouldn’t work at first, but as a tutor I think it is brilliant! The ability to demonstrate direction with the aid of mark-up tool and video demonstrations, it’s been most rewarding.
Seeing the progression has been wonderful; the growth of confidence and technical abilities has been so rewarding. Everyone has taken on board the advice given and let their imagination take them places that far exceed their initial expectations. This level of success has been achieved by the warmth and supportive nature that this group demonstrates towards each other. Everyone feels secure in their embroidery and artistic abilities to share their thoughts, ideas and enthusiasm for each other’s work. The result; a joyous experience.
Looking forward to more embroidery.” Laura Lees, Workshop lead
The project isn’t finished yet which means that not all the works are complete, but we love what they are creating so much, we want to share them with you.
In the slideshow you can see a variety of works developed during the project. We will also be posting progression photos from some of the works illustrated so you can see how works have been built up; keep an eye out for those.
Finally, you can see more of the brilliant Laura Lees’ work on her website at: Laura-Lees.com.
In Stitches: Anna Becker Teapot and Cup
May 5th 2021
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For this piece Anna took inspiration from the things around her, things that most people have like a teapot and a mug. We love the finished cushion, and it shows how everyday objects spark joy! Anna said,
“I was really not sure when I started this. It wasn’t something I would normally have thought of doing but I found myself enjoying making new stitches although I was never sure how it would turn out. It’s not perfect, but I quite like the finished product.”
Anna is currently working on a piece inspired by Kilmanjaro. It’s not finished yet but you can see how its progressing and we will upload images of all the finished pieces at the end of the project. From a humble teapot to a vast landscape!
Is Dorothy a wise old owl? we think so, though she may dispute the old part of that! We love the character Dorothy has managed to capture in the Owl. HOOT HOOT HOORAY! Dorothy says, “I have an affinity with owls and elephants for some reason!”
Dorothy is currently working on a new piece which is inspired by a painting she has of the Bass Rock. We love how she is capturing the monumental form of the rock itself. Dorothy says, “The Bass Rock is inspired by childhood memories of holidays and weekends spent in a caravan at North Berwick. I feel grateful for the knowledge I’ve received on different techniques and the sharing of ideas. It has been great via Zoom to receive weekly updates.”
Who would have thought birds and skulls go together? We do now! We love Yvonne’s creative use of stitches and colour. And where did she get those headphones?!
Yvonne says, “This is an ode to Frida (Kahlo). My inspiration was Mexico and the Day of the Dead. I love Frida Kahlo and the bright colours … appliqué is a craft I haven’t done before, so I find the group is teaching me new skills and I love seeing it come together.”
Anne has lovingly captured her Mum’s dog Meg in this beautiful piece. As Franklin Jones said ‘Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job’!
Anne says ‘’Thanks to lockdown and Laura Lees this was my first venture in sewing for 3 decades. I was surprised and encouraged by this perfect tonic to lockdown. Homemade size 12 dresses have been replaced by a pictorial interpretation of my favourite family dog Meg, using freestyle stitching. I was trying to draw with thread and fabric, enjoying the textures and working with limited resources at home. For a change I can be the one to say, I have not done this since school!’’
Anne is currently working on this forest piece and was inspired by a David Hockney painting. We think that Anne can definitely see the woods for the trees!
Anne says, ‘’The Hockney landscape paintings are vast in size and on viewing them I felt drenched in colour. They have had a lasting impact on me. It has been a challenge to break away from the original Hockney – I found myself being slavishly true to the original. I really enjoyed being unleashed with colour after monochrome Meg. Working with embroidery threads for the first time made my stitches much smaller and tighter than the wool used in creating Meg. Working in tandem with others through the ‘In Stitches’ group kept me going with this project which so easily could have joined all the other unfinished garments from decades ago.’’
The Edinburgh Landmarks exhibition has just finished at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and we decided to create a small publication to celebrate the creativit of the participants. Each of the people who took part in the exhibition received a copy as a thank you for taking part, as most were not able to see their work on display in the exhibition, they all loved it and so do we. View a selection of works, as well as the publication itself.
Next in the Link Gallery is an exhibition of drawings by Albert Nicolson. A series of beautiful line drawings of hats created in Artlink workshops at the R.E.H. Some of you may remember them from the Mark Dion exhibition at the Talbot Rice Gallery in 2014 as part of Ever Present Past.
We are also talking to Hans K Clausen, Hospital Exhibitions Manager, Tonic Arts Programme about developing another exhibition to go into the REH. Watch this space.
