Memory Wall artworks tell the story of lives changed
As part of our ongoing commemorations marking the anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to remember the lives lost and reflect on the many changes that it has brought to all our lives.
Earlier this year, we sent a commemorative card to every member of staff and our volunteers, which offered them the opportunity to submit a personal memory of the last year. This opportunity was extended to patients and the wider public, who were asked to remember the person they had sadly lost or recognise an individual or team within our Trust who had helped them through this time.
These memories have been creatively represented by artist Ruth Swallow, whose two Memory Wall artworks are now being exhibited at Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Chief Executive Deborah Lee commented:
“The Memory Wall artworks not only commemorate those we have lost over the past year but also celebrate the positive things that we have found. These poignant and fascinating pieces mark a moment in time and an extraordinary year that we will never forget.”
Artist Ruth Swallow has a focus on Arts, Health and Wellbeing and her work frequently captures people’s memories and ideas in delicately illustrated and printed pieces. The beautifully hand transcribed memories are combined with illustrations to tell the story of how all our lives have been changed.
The Memory Wall artworks work alongside our new commemorative garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and the improvement and redesign of an existing garden in Cheltenham General. Colleagues suggested that we develop these places of reflection as a fitting way to mark the events of the past year as well as providing a sanctuary for colleagues in the future, to rest and reflect away from their workplace.
The project was commissioned and managed by Arts Coordinator Anoushka Duroe-Richards, who has been appointed through the support of the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Hospitals Charity.