Drawn to Derriford: Devon art collective display work at local hospital

There has been a welcome injection of colour at Derriford Hospital - thanks to a new project from artistic collective Drawn to the Valley.

The hospital will play host to a rotating display of artwork from Tamar Valley-based artists, introducing vibrancy to otherwise bland clinical environments.

Bringing together art and healthcare was a natural connection for member and retired Emergency Medicine Consultant, Iain Grant: “Art can transform cold, clinical environments into compassionate care spaces filled with inspiration. This is why artists from Drawn to the Valley are pleased to be working with the Trust to try to brighten some areas of Derriford Hospital by lending artworks for display.”

Art has long been linked to benefits in the healthcare environment, with research undertaken at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital linking art to a reduction in anxiety, stress and depression amongst patients and staff.

The initial installation will line the walls connecting the main concourse to the Emergency Department, main outpatients and orthopaedic outpatients. Emergency Department Consultant and Wellbeing Lead, Dr Daranee Boon has been a champion of the project:

“The artwork caused an instant stir, with bypassers stopping to comment on how much they loved the new installations” said Daranee. “We even had a visitor offer to take one home, which we had to politely decline!”

It is hoped that the initial 10 pieces will grow to more than 30 by the end of 2019, with an ambition to create an art trail which visitors can follow.