Dundee landmarks transform hospital wards in new art project
Familiar Dundee landmarks have been brought inside Royal Victoria Hospital as part of a major new art installation.
The new installations are designed to make its stroke and neurological rehabilitation wards brighter and more welcoming for patients.
The new commission has transformed Wards 4 and 5 at the Dundee hospital with large-scale illustrations inspired by places across the city and wider Tayside.
Among the locations featured are Balgay Bridge, Mills Observatory, Cox’s Stack, V&A Dundee and Dundee Contemporary Arts, alongside the city’s distinctive skyline.
Created by artist Pamela Scott, the artwork has been designed to bring some of the outside world into the hospital and give patients familiar places to recognise, talk about and connect with while undergoing rehabilitation.
Bringing familiar Dundee sights into the hospital
Wards 4 and 5 care for people from Dundee and across Tayside who are undergoing rehabilitation following strokes and neurological conditions.
Patients can spend significant periods of time on the wards as they work towards recovery, meaning the environment around them can become an important part of their hospital experience.
The new installation uses colour and familiar locations to make that environment feel warmer and more engaging.
From Dundee, the artwork expands into a wider journey across Tayside.
It stretches from Kinnoull Hill overlooking Perth through to Balgay Bridge, Mills Observatory, Cox’s Stack, V&A Dundee, Dundee Contemporary Arts and the city skyline, before continuing towards Arbroath Harbour and Montrose High Street.
The illustrations flow between the two wards, creating a visual connection between the spaces while reflecting the idea of a journey through rehabilitation and recovery.
Patients helped shape the finished artwork
The project is the largest-scale commission Pamela has undertaken and has been developed over the past year.
Patients and staff at Royal Victoria Hospital were involved in the process, contributing ideas and feedback about everything from the landmarks represented to the colours used in the finished designs.
Pamela said bringing the outside world into the wards was important, while ensuring the artwork did not become too busy or overstimulating.
She said: “I hope the illustrations will spark conversations and memories for patients and visitors while making the ward environment lighter and brighter, a more welcoming, uplifting place to work and to recover.”
Pamela has also been working directly with patients on Wards 4 and 5 over recent months, using printmaking and mixed-media techniques as part of a creative workshop programme.
Their own artwork was displayed alongside the new installation as part of its official launch on September 24.
Creativity as part of rehabilitation
The commission was developed by Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT) in partnership with NHS Tayside and funded by NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation.
THAT has been running creative programmes within the Stroke and Neuro Rehabilitation Unit for a number of years, with Pamela delivering regular activities on the wards since 2019.
Previous evaluation of its work has found positive impacts on areas including mood, confidence, communication, concentration and social contact.
Iona McCann, Projects Manager at Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust, said the surroundings patients experience during a lengthy hospital stay matter.
She said: “Art can bring colour, interest and a sense of connection to the world beyond the hospital.
“What feels particularly special is that Pamela has also been working creatively with patients on the wards. Celebrating their artwork alongside the new commission brings those different strands of THAT’s work together.”
Laura Douglas, Clinical Coordinator for Stroke and Neuro Rehabilitation, said the installation had already made a “remarkable difference” to the wards.
She added: “It brings colour, warmth and a sense of connection to the local communities our patients come from, while also creating opportunities for meaningful conversations and reflection.”
The artwork was fabricated and installed by Dundee-based Phoenix Print Dundee Ltd.
THAT’s wider work at Royal Victoria Hospital, including its creative workshop programme, is supported by NHS Tayside, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership and Creative Scotland.
