‘Our 2017-18 cycle of artist residencies, was called ‘Making a Bigger Difference’. It was led by 4 North West based artists, each working 2 days per week over an 8 week period, at Royal Liverpool University & Broadgreen hospitals (RLH) and The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust and our new partners Alder Hey Childrens Hospital.

Ceramic artist Sian Hughes was artist in residence at Broadgreen hospital, working with patients in the stroke rehabilitation & trauma units.

I drew inspiration from Victorian ‘lantern’ slides of botanical specimens. Participants rolled out porcelain clay using snippets of grasses, plants and flowers from the hospital grounds to impress designs, before making roundels, bowls and ‘saucers’.  I fired the pieces for them to keep. Other pieces were framed for their Wards.

This activity was absorbing with achievable and impressive outcomes. Staff were able to observe dexterity and understanding, supporting clinical appraisal in an informal setting. Patients commented “Its relaxing & calming” and “I’ve been in a different world. ‘ Bluecoat Display Centre

The brief asked for an artist’s piece in response to the Residency to add to Broadgreen’s Hospital art.

 I made a bespoke framed light box to illuminate 35 paper-thin porcelain tiles impressed with plants from the hospital grounds.