Life is a Playground / hospital corridor wayfinding mural. Bristol Children’s Hospital
Commissioned by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust I was asked to create a series of engaging artworks for a 200m long corridor in Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, plus sculptures for the new Second Entrance. Titled 'Life is a Playground' the aim was to create a vivid and entertaining visual journey that also helps lead visitors through the building while providing a dynamic and welcoming environment for patients.
I developed the designs following workshops with patients and meetings with staff at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the hospital’s Youth Council. The scenes of adventure and play are animated by a host of animal characters that reappear at intervals and serve as familiar faces throughout the space. Companionship, collaboration and discovery are common themes that run throughout the artworks, encouraging young audiences to construct their own narratives and garner positive messages. During the project I worked closely with arts and health consultancy, Willis Newson (you can read their full project testimonial below).
Each illustration aids in wayfinding through the long corridor. Care was taken to place artworks in key positions, so visitors always had a visual link to follow along the corridor, including doorway wraparounds to indicate the continuing journey. Cooler tones were used in artworks around the ‘burns unit’ following workshop engagement feedback.
The artworks were funded by Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal which supports the creation of a child-friendly environment with integrated artworks to enhance the redevelopment of Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The 3D sculptural structures around the entrance were produced in collaboration with artist Pete Moorhouse who was instrumental in their fabrication.
This project was also a 3x3 International merit winner and shortlisted in the AOI World Illustration Award.
Above are some of the artworks captured by photographer Max McClure.
“I can highly recommend Dave as an artist and illustrator capable of turning his hand to large scale, complex commissions.
The first time Willis Newson worked with Dave was on a commission for architectural wall works for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. On the strength of this work, Dave was commissioned again to work with us on an ambitious project called “Life is a Playground”.
Life is a Playground was a series of artworks for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children commissioned for University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. The brief was to design a series of architectural wall works that would support way finding along a complex route to children’s wards. The wall works needed to direct people, but also make the journey enjoyable while appealing to a range of ages
Dave developed the designs following workshops with patients and meetings with staff at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the hospital’s Youth Council. Scenes of adventure and play are animated by a host of animal characters that reappear at intervals and serve as familiar faces throughout the space. Companionship, collaboration and discovery are common themes that run throughout the artworks, encouraging young audiences to engage, feel reassured and construct their own narratives and garner positive messages.
Dave was a pleasure to work with throughout the process. He was responsive and worked well with patients and staff, running workshops and engaging staff in discussions about the work. He was articulate and able to present his work for feedback to the youth council, staff and Trust Project Group.
He paid good attention to detail, ensuring that spaces were very carefully measured to ensure that his designs responded to and visually worked across the various spaces along the long route – including many unusual and awkward spaces.
He was able to take on board and respond to patient needs, such as paying attention to the clinical needs in different areas.
Life is a Playground has been especially popular with patients, families and staff. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dave for any future similar commissions.”
Below are other artworks that feature along the corridor, starting with the entrance sculptural work.
