Artist Hannah Lim is bringing art to the hospital she was born in, West Middlesex University Hospital. CW+ has commissioned her to create a new sculpture next to the main atrium, transforming a previously under-utilised corner of the hospital into an inviting, vibrant and restorative space.
In this video, Hannah – speaking before the recent completion of her commission – explains her creative process and the impact she hopes her work will have on patients, visitors and staff.
Watch the video or read the transcript below.Â
Artist Hannah Lim talks through her creative process and the impact she hopes her commission at West Middlesex University Hospital will have on patients, visitors and staff.
Hannah’s story: transcript
I’m Hannah Lim. I’m an artist, and I’ve been commissioned by CW+ to create a new sculpture that will be coming to West Middlesex University Hospital very soon.
Personal connection to the hospital
I was born at West Middlesex University Hospital and it’s been the hospital that I’ve gone to throughout my whole life. I grew up and have lived in Isleworth for a significant proportion of my life. It’s really nice to be able to work on a commission that is in a hospital and is part of a community that I’m really strongly connected to.
My artistic practice
I mostly work with sculpture, but also combine a bit of painting and installation into my practice. I’ve worked with lots of different galleries and brands and councils on various different projects that span arts and design.
A lot of my work is connected to my Singaporean and British heritage. I’ve often been quite interested in looking at different objects, architecture, artworks that explore the relationship between these cultures. It’s something that’s reflected through lots of different parts of my practice and the different projects that I do.
Inspiration for this project
For this particular project, I was interested in looking at the designs of folding screens. A lot of the imagery that’s used on folding screens is meant to evoke a sense of calm and peacefulness, so I wanted to capture this with the artwork that I created.
There’s lots of different motifs and images within the work that people can pick out and focus on. I wanted it to be something that was calming and that people could really explore and read into and interpret in their own way based on their own beliefs, their own cultural upbringing.
The impact of the artwork
I think what’s so special about it is that it’s going to be this complete transformation of the courtyard. It’s going to become a place that people can actually go into and enjoy. It’s a really exciting commission to be working on.
It’s so important that art is something that’s accessible. It can provide a distraction. It can provide some sense of calmness. It allows people to engage with something else in their environment.
Hopes for the installation
Sometimes seeing an artwork, seeing something that is bright and colourful and is unexpected in a hospital environment can be really helpful.
I hope that staff and patients at the hospital, when they’re in the courtyard, are able to feel a sense of calm. Hopefully it’s something interesting and calming and inviting to look at.
Maybe the next time I go to the hospital I’ll get to see the artwork as well, so it will be fun to see what people think of it.
A message to supporters
If you’re thinking of donating to the CW+ Thirty at Thirty appeal, I would really, really encourage you to do so. It has such a significant, lasting impact on both staff and patients across both the Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex University Hospital sites.
Through commissions like Hannah’s, our Arts in Health programme enhances our hospitals and transforms the experience of patients, their families and our Trust staff.
Please do not reproduce without permission.
Help us improve the healing environment at our Trust
Want to help us bring calmness and colour to our hospitals? Support our Arts in Health programme and donate today.
