Meet Our 2021 Partner: Hospital Rooms
Co-Founders Niamh White and Tim A Shaw on the importance of barrier-less art for mental health patients.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16 May), we’ll be donating £1 to Hospital Rooms for every purchase made online or in store.
Meet Anthropologie Europe’s 2021-long partner, Hospital Rooms. Artist Tim A Shaw and curator Niamh White founded the arts and mental health charity after a close friend was admitted to a mental health inpatient unit. Whilst visiting her, they were shocked to discover the clinical and at times run-down environment that people receiving mental health treatment are living in at such a vulnerable time. They’re on a mission to change this.
Drawing on more than ten years’ experience, Tim and Niamh have brought the transformative powers of the arts to NHS mental health wards across the country through world-class installations and creative workshops – at first painting every wall and leading every class themselves, before enlisting the help of world-renowned artists such as Nick Knight and Gavin Turk.
This year, we’re proud to be working with Hospital Rooms to further their mission, starting with a commissioned mural by artist Susie Hamilton at Askew Ward, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, a monthly Digital Art School programme, and there’s plenty more still to come.
We caught up with Tim and Niamh to find out more about Hospital Rooms’ beginnings and hopes for the future.
Drawing on more than ten years’ experience, Tim and Niamh have brought the transformative powers of the arts to NHS mental health wards across the country through world-class installations and creative workshops – at first painting every wall and leading every class themselves, before enlisting the help of world-renowned artists such as Nick Knight and Gavin Turk.
This year, we’re proud to be working with Hospital Rooms to further their mission, starting with a commissioned mural by artist Susie Hamilton at Askew Ward, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, a monthly Digital Art School programme, and there’s plenty more still to come.
We caught up with Tim and Niamh to find out more about Hospital Rooms’ beginnings and hopes for the future.
What is Hospital Rooms?
Niamh White (NW): Hospital Rooms is an arts and mental health charity. We commission world class artwork for inpatient mental health wards in NHS hospitals. These units provide care to people who have severe and enduring mental health conditions and they are often under a section of the Mental Health Act, meaning they might not have a choice about being there. We want to ensure those people are surrounded by beautiful and restorative environments and have access to creative activities to offer them hope, dignity and a positive view of the future.
What was the catalyst for Hospital Rooms?
Tim A Shaw (TS): A close friend of ours had to spend some time in an inpatient mental health unit and we were shocked by how cold and clinical the ward was. Inpatient mental health units can often be stark and frightening places to be in, especially for someone who is very unwell. We wanted to try and do something about it and since then we have worked in partnership with artists, mental health service users and staff to create inspiring and thought-provoking art in as many mental health units as possible.
What were you doing prior to starting Hospital Rooms and how has this influenced Hospital Rooms?
NW: Prior to starting Hospital Rooms, Tim and I worked in the arts. I’m a curator and Tim is an artist. We worked with fantastic studios, galleries and museums from Nick Knight to Hauser and Wirth. In those spheres, the very highest quality and ambition is expected at every level. Both Tim and I continue to bring that every day to the work we do at Hospital Rooms. We wouldn’t accept any compromise of quality of the artwork because it is in a different setting. Our artists thrive on this kind of expectation and some of them have produced some of their very best work for the mental health units we work in. They know that it will have a tangible impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable and sidelined members of the community and they take that responsibility very seriously.
Niamh White (NW): Hospital Rooms is an arts and mental health charity. We commission world class artwork for inpatient mental health wards in NHS hospitals. These units provide care to people who have severe and enduring mental health conditions and they are often under a section of the Mental Health Act, meaning they might not have a choice about being there. We want to ensure those people are surrounded by beautiful and restorative environments and have access to creative activities to offer them hope, dignity and a positive view of the future.
What was the catalyst for Hospital Rooms?
Tim A Shaw (TS): A close friend of ours had to spend some time in an inpatient mental health unit and we were shocked by how cold and clinical the ward was. Inpatient mental health units can often be stark and frightening places to be in, especially for someone who is very unwell. We wanted to try and do something about it and since then we have worked in partnership with artists, mental health service users and staff to create inspiring and thought-provoking art in as many mental health units as possible.
What were you doing prior to starting Hospital Rooms and how has this influenced Hospital Rooms?
NW: Prior to starting Hospital Rooms, Tim and I worked in the arts. I’m a curator and Tim is an artist. We worked with fantastic studios, galleries and museums from Nick Knight to Hauser and Wirth. In those spheres, the very highest quality and ambition is expected at every level. Both Tim and I continue to bring that every day to the work we do at Hospital Rooms. We wouldn’t accept any compromise of quality of the artwork because it is in a different setting. Our artists thrive on this kind of expectation and some of them have produced some of their very best work for the mental health units we work in. They know that it will have a tangible impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable and sidelined members of the community and they take that responsibility very seriously.
How has Hospital Rooms evolved since its genesis?
TS: For the first couple of years, Hospital Rooms was run just by Niamh and me. We painted every wall, were at every artist visit and workshop, wrote every press release and raised every pound. Hospital Rooms is now made up of an amazing team which means we can programme more projects, run more workshops (including our Digital Art School) and, well, do everything better! We are also collaborating on a long-term research project and are hoping to pave the way for others to make big changes in mental health units.
Why is the work Hospital Rooms is doing so important?
NW: Mental healthcare has been underfunded for a long time and so the wards that people receive care in are often not only banal and clinical but they are also sometimes run down and even dilapidated. This communicates a strong message to people who are already stigmatised because of their diagnosis: that they are not cared for or that they are forgotten. By bringing world-class art into these spaces, we are saying you are seen, you are important and you will come through this. Beyond the poor condition of these spaces, there is also often extremely limited access to art and culture, despite the fact that many of the patients we work with are incredibly creative. We aim to ensure that the opportunity to participate in high-quality art activities is high on the agenda in mental healthcare. It is easy to underestimate the power of giving someone a means of expression and an opportunity to accomplish something that is completely separate from their diagnosis. We are helping people to re-build a sense of self and a sense of worth.
What has been the most rewarding moment of the Hospital Rooms journey so far?
NW: One of the most memorable moments we’ve had was in a women’s Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit in South London. We were working on a really complex piece by Tamsin Relly in the communal lounge where Tamsin was painting directly onto the wall and then was installing an incredibly beautiful large-scale print of pink and green foliage on top. These wards can be difficult places to install artwork as people are obviously very unwell and may present with some challenging behaviours. Tamsin worked so hard and maintained so much concentration in the thick of the space while Tim and I spoke to patients about what she was doing, kept all the materials in view and ensured we weren’t interrupting any of the care on the ward. When it came to installing the print, it was a logistical operation with lots of staff supporting us to make sure everyone was kept very safe. Once we got the print up on the wall, we realised that the patients and staff had formed a circle around us, watching intently, and when we stepped back they burst into a round of applause. It was a total testament to Tamsin’s absolute commitment to the piece and her determination to install something so ambitious in a high energy area.
TS: For the first couple of years, Hospital Rooms was run just by Niamh and me. We painted every wall, were at every artist visit and workshop, wrote every press release and raised every pound. Hospital Rooms is now made up of an amazing team which means we can programme more projects, run more workshops (including our Digital Art School) and, well, do everything better! We are also collaborating on a long-term research project and are hoping to pave the way for others to make big changes in mental health units.
Why is the work Hospital Rooms is doing so important?
NW: Mental healthcare has been underfunded for a long time and so the wards that people receive care in are often not only banal and clinical but they are also sometimes run down and even dilapidated. This communicates a strong message to people who are already stigmatised because of their diagnosis: that they are not cared for or that they are forgotten. By bringing world-class art into these spaces, we are saying you are seen, you are important and you will come through this. Beyond the poor condition of these spaces, there is also often extremely limited access to art and culture, despite the fact that many of the patients we work with are incredibly creative. We aim to ensure that the opportunity to participate in high-quality art activities is high on the agenda in mental healthcare. It is easy to underestimate the power of giving someone a means of expression and an opportunity to accomplish something that is completely separate from their diagnosis. We are helping people to re-build a sense of self and a sense of worth.
What has been the most rewarding moment of the Hospital Rooms journey so far?
NW: One of the most memorable moments we’ve had was in a women’s Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit in South London. We were working on a really complex piece by Tamsin Relly in the communal lounge where Tamsin was painting directly onto the wall and then was installing an incredibly beautiful large-scale print of pink and green foliage on top. These wards can be difficult places to install artwork as people are obviously very unwell and may present with some challenging behaviours. Tamsin worked so hard and maintained so much concentration in the thick of the space while Tim and I spoke to patients about what she was doing, kept all the materials in view and ensured we weren’t interrupting any of the care on the ward. When it came to installing the print, it was a logistical operation with lots of staff supporting us to make sure everyone was kept very safe. Once we got the print up on the wall, we realised that the patients and staff had formed a circle around us, watching intently, and when we stepped back they burst into a round of applause. It was a total testament to Tamsin’s absolute commitment to the piece and her determination to install something so ambitious in a high energy area.
Why do you think Anthropologie is a good fit for Hospital Rooms?
NW: Anthropologie and Hospital Rooms have the same values. We believe in the power of art to move people, to give people a voice and to make the world a better place to be in. We both believe that art is not for the privileged few but for everyone in everyday life, and especially those who may be going through difficult times. This is the moment when it is all the more important. Anthropologie will be helping Hospital Rooms to continue our Digital Art School that is joined by people in mental health units and at home from around the world every week, and we’ll be working together on artist commissions for mental health units. Together, we’ll be bringing more art to more people than ever before.
Are you able to tell us a bit about Hospital Rooms and Anthropologie’s first collaborative commission – Susie Hamilton at Askew Ward, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at West London NHS Foundation Trust?
TS: Susie led a workshop with patients at Askew Ward. After spending some time with the men and the team there she decided to create an artwork for the fence in in the only outdoor space the patients have access to in the ward. Like most PICUs, the outside space was quite austere and closed in, but Susie made an artwork that is vibrant, atmospheric and transforms that area. What is unusual is that she doesn’t choose to paint something that blends into the background – the artwork she made is complex, and acknowledges struggle but is also hopeful and filled with the promise of light. It is ambitious and affecting when seen in person, especially impressive as she painted it on a particular cold week - she’s a trooper!
Are you able to tell us a little bit more about Susie and her background and her career?
NW: Susie Hamilton is one of the most incredible artists we have ever had the privilege of working with. She has had a long career, starting with Fine Art at Central St Martins, transitioning over to English Literature in which she got her PhD and then, lucky for us, her wonderful husband, the poet Peter Hamilton, encouraged her return to her original passion for painting. Susie’s work is vigorous and vibrant and often, she is concerned with the journey and the wilderness, acknowledging all the difficulties, traumas and tribulations that might come along with this. She is perfect for Hospital Rooms because she doesn’t shy away from these things. Instead she celebrates resilience, determination and fortitude and in the end there is hope and light. She’s an extremely kind and generous teacher and the patients she has worked with on our projects have created the most extraordinary artworks with her guidance. She is a wonder.
NW: Anthropologie and Hospital Rooms have the same values. We believe in the power of art to move people, to give people a voice and to make the world a better place to be in. We both believe that art is not for the privileged few but for everyone in everyday life, and especially those who may be going through difficult times. This is the moment when it is all the more important. Anthropologie will be helping Hospital Rooms to continue our Digital Art School that is joined by people in mental health units and at home from around the world every week, and we’ll be working together on artist commissions for mental health units. Together, we’ll be bringing more art to more people than ever before.
Are you able to tell us a bit about Hospital Rooms and Anthropologie’s first collaborative commission – Susie Hamilton at Askew Ward, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at West London NHS Foundation Trust?
TS: Susie led a workshop with patients at Askew Ward. After spending some time with the men and the team there she decided to create an artwork for the fence in in the only outdoor space the patients have access to in the ward. Like most PICUs, the outside space was quite austere and closed in, but Susie made an artwork that is vibrant, atmospheric and transforms that area. What is unusual is that she doesn’t choose to paint something that blends into the background – the artwork she made is complex, and acknowledges struggle but is also hopeful and filled with the promise of light. It is ambitious and affecting when seen in person, especially impressive as she painted it on a particular cold week - she’s a trooper!
Are you able to tell us a little bit more about Susie and her background and her career?
NW: Susie Hamilton is one of the most incredible artists we have ever had the privilege of working with. She has had a long career, starting with Fine Art at Central St Martins, transitioning over to English Literature in which she got her PhD and then, lucky for us, her wonderful husband, the poet Peter Hamilton, encouraged her return to her original passion for painting. Susie’s work is vigorous and vibrant and often, she is concerned with the journey and the wilderness, acknowledging all the difficulties, traumas and tribulations that might come along with this. She is perfect for Hospital Rooms because she doesn’t shy away from these things. Instead she celebrates resilience, determination and fortitude and in the end there is hope and light. She’s an extremely kind and generous teacher and the patients she has worked with on our projects have created the most extraordinary artworks with her guidance. She is a wonder.
How did Susie come to be involved with Hospital Rooms?
TS: In the early days of Hospital Rooms, Susie kindly donated two small paintings to one of our fundraisers. Since then we have been to every exhibition, talk and open studio we can that she invites us to and I am sitting opposite a painting of hers right now! We’re fans. When she worked on a project with us at another psychiatric intensive care unit a couple of years ago, these two lovely patients spent the whole time she was painting talking about her artwork. The CEO of the trust said recently that every time she goes back to that unit someone tells her about the painting Susie made for the end of the corridor, and that there is so much value in that. Susie has also led a Hospital Rooms Digital Art School workshop and we find ways to collaborate with her as much as we can, hopefully without annoying her. So far she hasn’t told us to bugger off!
What’s next for Hospital Rooms and Anthropologie?
TS: There are so many possibilities, and we love that Anthropologie are up for any ideas that can make a difference to people’s lives – if we suggest a way that we could do with some help, they come back with something really exciting to push it forward. We’re looking forward to more Digital Art School terms, more artist commissions, and being hosted in one of the London stores later in the year, but no doubt there will be lots more exciting things to come.
TS: In the early days of Hospital Rooms, Susie kindly donated two small paintings to one of our fundraisers. Since then we have been to every exhibition, talk and open studio we can that she invites us to and I am sitting opposite a painting of hers right now! We’re fans. When she worked on a project with us at another psychiatric intensive care unit a couple of years ago, these two lovely patients spent the whole time she was painting talking about her artwork. The CEO of the trust said recently that every time she goes back to that unit someone tells her about the painting Susie made for the end of the corridor, and that there is so much value in that. Susie has also led a Hospital Rooms Digital Art School workshop and we find ways to collaborate with her as much as we can, hopefully without annoying her. So far she hasn’t told us to bugger off!
What’s next for Hospital Rooms and Anthropologie?
TS: There are so many possibilities, and we love that Anthropologie are up for any ideas that can make a difference to people’s lives – if we suggest a way that we could do with some help, they come back with something really exciting to push it forward. We’re looking forward to more Digital Art School terms, more artist commissions, and being hosted in one of the London stores later in the year, but no doubt there will be lots more exciting things to come.
Photography by Damian Griffiths. Image 1. Artist: Tim A Shaw; Image 2. Photographer: Jennifer Moyes; Image 3. Artist: Hannah Brown; Image 4. Artist: Rose Pilkington; Image 5. Artist: Susie Hamilton.