Our Storeys: Art and Poetry in Health Care

In 2011, a major rebuilding project was completed at North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH). Artist Sue Ridge and writer and poet John Davies (aka Shedman) were commissioned to create a public artwork using photography, new writing inspired by the hospital, its history and neighbourhood, collaborations with other artists and poets, and through the responses to social engagement questionnaires. Sue and Shedman then created a hybrid artwork incorporating text and image to be displayed on the walls of the new atrium lift lobbies. Our Storeys documents the project, including images from the artwork, critical appreciations, articles and interviews, and - most importantly - the poems that contribute to such a beautiful display. Poetry was the logical inspiration for the project, since the local area of Edmonton and Enfield has strong poetic connections with, amongst others, John Keats, Thomas Hood, Thomas Hardy, Bob Cobbing and Carol Ann Duffy. The poems and excerpts on the walls engage with the local community to create a layering of history, inspiration and experience. The artwork now lives alongside the community that gave rise to it.