Trust Built Through Connection - a collection of murals and installed artworks. Dolphin House at Bristol Royal Infirmary hospital (NHS), Bristol
The stairwell mural celebrates how humans are multidimensional and the shining of light can refract and reveal many sides to a situation.
This project was commissioned by the Arts & Culture Team on behalf of the UHBW Foundation Trust for the South Bristol Academy, Medical Education in Dolphin House. I was asked to design a series of artworks across three floors, plus a linking artwork on the connecting stairwell.
Reflective drawings, poetry and prose, created by University of Bristol medical students, were invaluable source material in developing each artwork.
The overarching theme of 'trust built through connection' is the central message, with each piece conveying a caring relationship between two characters.
The motif of a bird is found in each artwork - a familiar “nested'“ character for the building users to discover as they view each artwork.
On the ground floor an artwork is constructed with cut pieces of wood placed back together, representing solving the puzzle of cognition between patient and staff; two characters hug while surrounded by a vibrant growth of nature.
“Dave approached his work with curiosity, passion and sensitivity. From the very beginning he created beautiful initial sketches that naturally became the final design. He made sure to communicate his creative progress in a clear and professional way and took all feedback onboard. He is very organised, has a fantastic attention to details and created astonishing artworks. On top of that, he is kind, polite and punctual. ”
Also on the ground floor, an elongated mural continues themes of connection and is structured around three stacked circles, representing the three building floors.
The study room (see below) has a scattering of natural plant forms and bird friends around the work space. These are all hand-painted on pieces of cut plywood.
On the 1st floor the three murals focus on connection through talking, listening and sharing moments together, with the corridor artwork depicting an untangling of a ball of emotions leading to calm and supportive understanding.
On the 2nd floor the puzzle-piece approach is carried through to reveal a joining-of-the-dots of understanding, while the diptych pair show a character reflecting a ray of sunshine towards the other.
“Dave has helped to create a beautiful, welcoming space within South Bristol Academy, which serves to inspire our Medical Students and the staff who work in the team every day. Dave’s sensitive approach to the materials he worked from was lovely to witness, he really took inspiration from the source material, and this is clearly reflected in the resulting work. We feel so lucky to have these beautiful original artworks in our building, and to get to see them on a daily basis.”
pre-assembly