SPRINGFIELD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL 2023
We’ve collaborated with South West London and St George’s Trust to create more than 20 artworks for the Springfield University Hospital.
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
The Hospital Rooms project at Springfield University Hospital pushed us as an organisation to make the most ambitious artworks we’ve ever done. We worked with over 20 artists, sometimes installing artworks standing on mobile platforms more than 15 metres high, with vastly different media (from gold leaf, to fine art photographic prints, magnetised walls and ceramics) and at scales we had never been able to realise before. It’s also a process that rewarded us with connections, friendships and community. The project introduced new partnerships with local cultural organisations such as ActionSpace, The Courtauld, National Opera Studio, Share Community and Studio Voltaire. From 2021 until 2022 service users and staff participated in over 100 workshops across inpatient Springfield University Hospital wards, the Recovery College and The Leon Kossoff Learning Centre at The Courtauld.
Tim Steer
Senior Project Curator
Tim is a medium build white man with light brown hair, his pronouns are he/him. He is half Swedish, born in London and grew up in Devon.
As a Senior Project Curator, Tim helps lead projects including commissioning artists, liaising with NHS Trusts and service users, as well as working with communities and partners. Tim has more than ten years experience of working in galleries, he writes for art magazines and has had a research interest in mental health for a number of years. He volunteers at Read Easy, teaching adult learners to read and enjoys cold swimming and searching for used furniture online.
Mattie Hartley
Project Curator
Mattie (She/Her) is a medium height white woman with shoulder length blonde hair, her pronouns are she/her. She was born in West London, grew up in West Yorkshire and moved back to London after graduating.
As a Project Curator, Mattie is responsible for running our projects, working with artists, NHS Trusts, service users and community partners. Mattie took a wiggly route into the arts after studying English at university. She first worked in cultural programming and commercial partnerships, then in the delivery of partnerships (account management) within art galleries, before joining Hospital Rooms in April 2022.
Siphiwe Mnguni
Public Programmes Curator
Siphiwe is a tall Black Woman with short pixie – cut black hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born and raised in South – East London to Zimbabwean parents.
As Public Programmes Curator, Siphiwe is responsible for sharing the Hospital Rooms mission and thinking with local, national and international audiences. Through the developing, coordination and delivering of year round events, talks, public exhibitions and our Digital Art School platform, her mission is to reach as many people with care and creativity whilst building practices of inclusion through our unique lens. Siphiwe is a practicing artist and has worked across artist management, set design and photography before finding her home at Hospital Rooms. Siphiwe lists painters Picasso, Karl Appel and Ellen Gallagher as a few of her favourite visual artists.
Louis Caseley
Participation Lead
Louis is a medium-height white man with brown curly hair, his pronouns are he/him. He was born and raised in London.
As participation lead, Louis supports on running projects with a key focus on engagement and accessibility for service users and artists. Louis has worked with Hospital Rooms since 2019 having previously worked as an arts facilitator, art technician and illustrator in various settings. Louis’ favourite artist is Mike Kelley and he likes shopping on eBay.
“It meant so much to be in an environment dedicated to art and exploration, which is my passion. I have been off work for a few months due to suffering with anxiety and the day spent exploring mask-making with Kofi truly helped me to forget the pain caused by anxiety and focus upon being myself again.”
Project curator team
Louis Caseley
Participation Lead
Louis is a medium-height white man with brown curly hair, his pronouns are he/him. He was born and raised in London.
As participation lead, Louis supports on running projects with a key focus on engagement and accessibility for service users and artists. Louis has worked with Hospital Rooms since 2019 having previously worked as an arts facilitator, art technician and illustrator in various settings. Louis’ favourite artist is Mike Kelley and he likes shopping on eBay.
Mattie Hartley
Project Curator
Mattie (She/Her) is a medium height white woman with shoulder length blonde hair, her pronouns are she/her. She was born in West London, grew up in West Yorkshire and moved back to London after graduating.
As a Project Curator, Mattie is responsible for running our projects, working with artists, NHS Trusts, service users and community partners. Mattie took a wiggly route into the arts after studying English at university. She first worked in cultural programming and commercial partnerships, then in the delivery of partnerships (account management) within art galleries, before joining Hospital Rooms in April 2022.
Siphiwe Mnguni
Public Programmes Curator
Siphiwe is a tall Black Woman with short pixie – cut black hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born and raised in South – East London to Zimbabwean parents.
As Public Programmes Curator, Siphiwe is responsible for sharing the Hospital Rooms mission and thinking with local, national and international audiences. Through the developing, coordination and delivering of year round events, talks, public exhibitions and our Digital Art School platform, her mission is to reach as many people with care and creativity whilst building practices of inclusion through our unique lens. Siphiwe is a practicing artist and has worked across artist management, set design and photography before finding her home at Hospital Rooms. Siphiwe lists painters Picasso, Karl Appel and Ellen Gallagher as a few of her favourite visual artists.
Tim Shaw
Co-Founder
Tim is a tall man with brown hair and eyes. He lives in London, grew up in Kent and had Welsh, Scottish and Pakistani grandparents. He has Tourettes Syndrome so has some frequent facial and body tics. His pronouns are he/him.
Tim started the charity with Niamh. He raises funds for the projects and works with the different teams on how to deliver their projects. Tim is an artist and makes installations, light sculptures and paintings. He started his career in the arts as an Art Technician and ran his own art installation company for 10 years. With Niamh, outside of Hospital Rooms, he runs an art prize for exceptional emerging artists. He authored a book called Draw & Be Happy. He eats a Mars Ice Cream every day.
Tim Steer
Senior Project Curator
Tim is a medium build white man with light brown hair, his pronouns are he/him. He is half Swedish, born in London and grew up in Devon.
As a Senior Project Curator, Tim helps lead projects including commissioning artists, liaising with NHS Trusts and service users, as well as working with communities and partners. Tim has more than ten years experience of working in galleries, he writes for art magazines and has had a research interest in mental health for a number of years. He volunteers at Read Easy, teaching adult learners to read and enjoys cold swimming and searching for used furniture online.
Niamh White
Co-Founder
Niamh (Pronounced Neve) is a medium height white woman with light brown hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born in Dublin, raised in Cornwall and now lives in London.
Niamh does something different every day but mostly loves dreaming up the future of Hospital Rooms. She builds projects, generates funding, monitors our impact and plans for the long term. Niamh is a curator who began her career on the front desk at Hauser & Wirth, worked for Nick Knight at SHOWstudio and has undertaken a variety of independent projects. She has always been fascinated by the ways in which the arts can drive social change. Niamh likes essay collections – a recent favourite is All We Can Save by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K Wilkinson. She likes getting blown around on the Cornish coast.
Louis is a medium-height white man with brown curly hair, his pronouns are he/him. He was born and raised in London.
As participation lead, Louis supports on running projects with a key focus on engagement and accessibility for service users and artists. Louis has worked with Hospital Rooms since 2019 having previously worked as an arts facilitator, art technician and illustrator in various settings. Louis’ favourite artist is Mike Kelley and he likes shopping on eBay.
Mattie (She/Her) is a medium height white woman with shoulder length blonde hair, her pronouns are she/her. She was born in West London, grew up in West Yorkshire and moved back to London after graduating.
As a Project Curator, Mattie is responsible for running our projects, working with artists, NHS Trusts, service users and community partners. Mattie took a wiggly route into the arts after studying English at university. She first worked in cultural programming and commercial partnerships, then in the delivery of partnerships (account management) within art galleries, before joining Hospital Rooms in April 2022.
Siphiwe is a tall Black Woman with short pixie – cut black hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born and raised in South – East London to Zimbabwean parents.
As Public Programmes Curator, Siphiwe is responsible for sharing the Hospital Rooms mission and thinking with local, national and international audiences. Through the developing, coordination and delivering of year round events, talks, public exhibitions and our Digital Art School platform, her mission is to reach as many people with care and creativity whilst building practices of inclusion through our unique lens. Siphiwe is a practicing artist and has worked across artist management, set design and photography before finding her home at Hospital Rooms. Siphiwe lists painters Picasso, Karl Appel and Ellen Gallagher as a few of her favourite visual artists.
Tim is a tall man with brown hair and eyes. He lives in London, grew up in Kent and had Welsh, Scottish and Pakistani grandparents. He has Tourettes Syndrome so has some frequent facial and body tics. His pronouns are he/him.
Tim started the charity with Niamh. He raises funds for the projects and works with the different teams on how to deliver their projects. Tim is an artist and makes installations, light sculptures and paintings. He started his career in the arts as an Art Technician and ran his own art installation company for 10 years. With Niamh, outside of Hospital Rooms, he runs an art prize for exceptional emerging artists. He authored a book called Draw & Be Happy. He eats a Mars Ice Cream every day.
Tim is a medium build white man with light brown hair, his pronouns are he/him. He is half Swedish, born in London and grew up in Devon.
As a Senior Project Curator, Tim helps lead projects including commissioning artists, liaising with NHS Trusts and service users, as well as working with communities and partners. Tim has more than ten years experience of working in galleries, he writes for art magazines and has had a research interest in mental health for a number of years. He volunteers at Read Easy, teaching adult learners to read and enjoys cold swimming and searching for used furniture online.
Niamh (Pronounced Neve) is a medium height white woman with light brown hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born in Dublin, raised in Cornwall and now lives in London.
Niamh does something different every day but mostly loves dreaming up the future of Hospital Rooms. She builds projects, generates funding, monitors our impact and plans for the long term. Niamh is a curator who began her career on the front desk at Hauser & Wirth, worked for Nick Knight at SHOWstudio and has undertaken a variety of independent projects. She has always been fascinated by the ways in which the arts can drive social change. Niamh likes essay collections – a recent favourite is All We Can Save by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K Wilkinson. She likes getting blown around on the Cornish coast.
” Normally my hours feel like days but being here my hours felt like minutes. I feel a sense of euphoria!”
FAQs
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September, 2023
Linda Bell, Hurvin Anderson, Jasmin Sehra, Michelle Williams Gamaker, Abbas Zahedi, Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq, Bindi Vora, Shepherd Manyinka, Harold Offeh, Sutapa Biswas, Alvin Kofi, National Opera Studio, Yinka Illori, Susie Hamilton, Jo Bruton, Libita Sibumgu & Nina Royle, Richard Mark Rawlins, Ellie Tsatsou
Yes, in March 2024 we released a publication- Hospital Rooms: Springfield Publication which chronicles the journey of the artworks for this project coming to life. Featuring an essay by Louisa Buck we’ve documented our unique creative development and captured the co-production process between our artists, service users and staff.
Thank You
This project is supported by a wide variety of partners without whom it would not be possible. We are very grateful to: South West London and St George’s Trust, Hauser & Wirth, Avant Arte, Bonhams, Coat Paints, Crozier, The Groucho Club, Safehinge Primera, Seasalt, St. Eval, Winsor & Newton, Art Explora, The Baring Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Hiscox Foundation, Old Possum’s Practical Trust, Pinterest Purpose Partners, Rayne Foundation, Norwich University of the Arts, Gallagher Re, Unit London, ActionSpace, C.F. Møller Architects, The Leon Kossof Learning Centre at Courtauld Gallery, International Curators Forum, Matt’s Gallery, National Opera Studio, Share Community, Studio Voltaire, Wandsworth Council, World Health Organisation