WALL GRAPHICS
Alison Unsworth, Lead Artist
Rachel Duckhouse, Artist
David Galletly, Artist
Natasha Russell, Artist
Client: Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd. and NHS Lothian
Funded by: NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts Programme
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity
A series of wall graphics for over 200 locations in the new hospital building, designed by artists (led by artist Alison Unsworth) working with patients and staff of NHS Lothian.
The wall graphics are designed to build on the overall concept developed by HLM architects for the interior design of the building, based on five ‘layers of the landscape’; starting with an urban theme for the ground floor, moving through themes of rural, water, mountain and sky as one travels up through the building.
“The Wall Graphics you see around the hospital for wayfinding are split into three groups,” explains lead artist Alison Unsworth. “The first group is in the main public corridors, created by Rachel Duckhouse. As a person moves through the public corridors on each floor there will be ten to fifteen Wall Graphics locations with the idea that they are a series of linked images…you will remember the last one you saw as you spot the next one at a junction ahead, creating a visual ‘trail of breadcrumbs.’
Rachel Duckhouse’s wall graphics create a visual “trail of breadcrumbs”
Alison Unsworth’s work can be seen in waiting rooms and treatment rooms within the various departments. Alison explained that for her, distraction is all about the context and environment of the particular room. “My Wall Graphics are all picture puzzles with five different types of objects: drinking straws, patterned paper bags, lolly sticks, bus tickets and revision/ index cards. I created a type of picture Sudoku with gaps for you to work out. There are different ways you can engage with them."
Reception desks throughout the building are enhanced through narratives developed by David Galletly and Natasha Russell. Natasha Russell has created a series of illustrative artworks combining landscapes, characters and narratives, reminiscent of storybook illustrations. She uses painting and printmaking to create images by hand.
