Bespoke digital artwork has transformed this lower-ground-floor department in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital into a light, bright space with a connection to nature.
With support from CW+, the relocated Adult Therapy Outpatients Department at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was completed in 2024.
Working closely with the architect, contractor and Trust colleagues from the start of the project, CW+ provided a suite of enhancements to enrich patient and staff experience in the new space.
The CW+ Arts Team worked with the architect’s design language to commission a series of complementary site-specific artworks. The use of biophilic design (integrating nature to enhance wellbeing) was especially important in the new department, as its lower-ground location means it is lacking in natural light. Laura Bradshaw, Arts Programme Manager at CW+ and lead for this project, supported the Therapy Team with its move.
Staff also successfully applied for a CW+ grant to fund new state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment that enables therapists to deliver high-quality patient care.
The team was engaged from the start and had a strong vision of how the new department should look, feel and function. It was a pleasure to work collaboratively to make that vision a reality
The new Therapy Department includes 97 LED ceiling panels, all featuring bespoke imagery by west-London-based photographer Lily Bertrand-Webb. The Therapy Team selected the images they wanted in each room.
The images were taken in spring 2024 on the theme of ‘Looking up’. The concept for the imagery was to create the illusion of sky and tree canopies. Lily shot her work on film and scanned them for use in the panels, giving the images a realistic quality.
The key artwork commission is by contemporary printmaker Clare Halifax, who created five bespoke designs. The brief focused on the biophilic theme, and the Therapy Team was keen for the designs to incorporate local nature.
The resulting works feature Battersea Park and riverside, Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park, and Chelsea Physic Gardens. Clare spent time in these local spots, gathering source image material which she then presented to the staff, who selected the images they wanted to be developed into the final designs.
In addition to these five main designs, Clare also created detailed foliage imagery for the window niches in the Hand Therapy and consultation rooms, and around the doorways in the gym and workshop.
All images: Damian Griffiths
Stay in touch
If you are happy to hear from us about news, fundraising, events, volunteering opportunities and how your donation is supporting our hospitals, please fill in your details below.
"*" indicates required fields
