INSPIRATIONAL artwork featuring nursing staff from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, has found a new home at University Hospital of North Tees, following a successful local exhibition.
The painting, created by artist Lucas Roy in 2024 as part the ‘Nursing in the Tees Valley’ exhibition held at Kirkleatham Museum, has found a prominent new place outside of the hospital’s respiratory wards 24 and 25.
It is now one of the first of a new trust arts initiative to display and champion local artwork on its estate to improve health and wellbeing and hospital environments for patients, visitors and staff.
Dr Jean MacLeod, lead medical examiner and chair of visual arts council for the trust said: “The environment of a hospital can have a huge impact on patient, visitor and staff experiences and art can help support patient mood, their recovery and wellbeing.
“Lucas’s work is one of the first in what we hope will be the start of showcasing and celebrating local artists across our hospital estate and we are absolutely thrilled to have this piece to display in what we thought was a very appropriate location outside of our respiratory ward.”
The brightly coloured mixed-media piece is a montage and features past and present nursing staff, prominent local landmarks and also draws upon staff and patients experiences during the pandemic.
Lucas said: “My artwork is often inspired by popular culture, nature and current events and I like to use a variety of mixed media in my pieces. This piece in particular was created as a montage of images to try and capture the essence of nursing, as part of the ‘Nursing in the Tees Valley’ exhibition.
“Each image is a vivid story of care and resilience and I drew upon the stories and histories of a group of local healthcare professionals before I created the work.
“The impact that healthcare professionals can have on the patients is just as important and profound as the impact patients can have on clinicians and I hope that my work is a good representation of that special relationship.”
The ‘Nursing in the Tees Valley’ exhibition ran until September last year, and invited current and retired local nurses to share their collective memories, camaraderie, dedication and experiences in both good and challenging times.
Lucas continued: “It’s really great to think that my artwork will be on display and will be viewed in one of the settings and by some of the very staff that inspired it.
“I hope that it will serve as a source of comfort for those coming to the respiratory wards, will give them a moment to reflect and will serve as a reminder of the important work and sacrifice from all NHS healthcare providers.”
Amongst members of the respiratory team at the event to officially unveil the painting, were respiratory lead Dr Vandana Jeebun, Dr Katie Elmer, ward matrons Elizabeth Meldrum and Maria Lawson alongside group chief nurse Hilary Lloyd, and site director of nursing Beth Swanson and group chair Professor Derek Bell.
Maria said: “This beautiful artwork is a fitting tribute to our nurses, both past and present.
“We have some very poorly patients in the unit and concerned relatives pass by this artwork every day to visit them – if it can in some way bring comfort to them even for a moment, then it has succeeded.
“As we care for more patients over the winter period we are encouraging not only all of our own workforce but all vulnerable people in our community to get their flu vaccination through their GP to help protect themselves and others.”
University Hospitals Tees chair, Professor Derek Bell said: “We’re delighted that Lucas has allowed us to celebrate and enjoy this poignant painting and to help improve the environment for people attending our respiratory wards.
“It’s already been a big talking point since it has been hung and I know that the staff think it is marvellous.”
About the artist
Born in Darlington UK 1988, Lucas had a very active mind and body throughout childhood which led to a continuous exertion in many sports and a short attention span in school. Chosen subjects during his time in School included Art and Photography, both of which were attended frequently due to an interest but ended with zero qualifications from any subject in school. After leaving school he worked as a Chef and did this for a couple of years until he was accepted into The British Army (The Parachute Regiment). During his 6 years in The Paras he quickly learned to listen and focus his hyper mind and had an interesting and rewarding time, serving on operations and discovering parts of the world and their cultures.
Lucas left the Army to become a close to home Father but with many thanks to the Army he left with a lot more than he went in with. Qualifications and overseas operational experience helped him to train as an Advanced Medical Technician. This enabled Lucas to work as a Medic within the Ambulance Service for a few years which was another eye- opener from a complete different perspective for him but after a few years he required a new less stressful venture.
His young adult experiences overseas and the Ambulance Service enlightened him to how serious and unbalanced the world is. He later realised his artwork enabled a gateway to promote positive change and influence debate or conversation. His work is now inspired from our popular culture, counter culture, fashion, social media, all types of art and mediums, whilst probably showing parts of his personality. His work is described as bright, vibrant and amusing and he is rewarded if it distracts from any negativity in your life.
Lucas is currently a resident Artist of Darlington’s historic ‘Quaker Meeting House’. Most of my work goes to private broker channels with in the USA. Some of his work has been displayed in newspapers, magazines, public spaces, TV and events.”
Website: https://lucasroyartwork.com/