JCUH "Healing Arts"

Healing Arts is a project by James Cook University Hospital (JCUH) which aims to promote health, healing and a sense of wellbeing through the arts and the environment. According to research, a patient's recovery can be aided by colour, light, art, texture and the performing arts, and it also helps to create an impression on workers and visitors to hospitals.

Artists were commissioned to create works at The James Cook University Hospital based on the theme of Captain Cook, and at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton using transport.

Cook’s Earth
Designed by Newcastle based artist Andrew Burton and installed in 2003, this bronze sculpture weighs over a ton and a half and celebrates Cook's life. The globe was first made in wax with intricately carved details before being cast in bronze at a foundry in Basingstoke and transported back to Middlesbrough. The sextant was made in South Shields and had to be lifted in place by a crane.

The design on the sphere uses bird feet to show Cook's three journeys around the globe, and special chemicals had to be used in order to colour the bronze blue. There is a brass plate at the bottom which has all the names of places visited by Cook. Burton used up-to-date computer generated images of the seabed as well as images, chart and journals from Cook's voyages to produce the sculpture.



Of Sea and Stars
This large scale installation of dichroic glass panels by Laura Johnston was influenced by the star constellation that Cook used for navigating the seas. The work has been suspended from the roof using stainless steel wire rigging ropes, and can be viewed from the centre of the first floor bridge in the hospital. It took two days to install the work with the help of specialist marine riggers. There are two hundred and forty panels in total which are fixed to the structure, which is shaped to show four sections of the globe in the southern hemisphere. The horizontal lines seem to suggest latitudinal paths, and the rigging suggests a nautical theme. The glass is specially coated to change colour depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and place of viewing.

Historic Murals
There are two life-sized murals that display the history of Middlesbrough General Hospital and North Riding Infirmary on the walls of James Cook and the hub area of Friarage Hospital, which show its history and development. There are photographs of staff, patients, buildings, a historical timeline, originals plaques and equipment featured. The murals were created by Woodgate Design, also known as Tony and Karen Van de Boosport, who specialise in large permanent displays. The project was made in collaboration with the local community.

Benefactors’ Panels


Artist Lee Brewster designed a carved tree wall piece which has benefactors' names inscribed into leaves and is installed at the entrance to Friarage Hospital, commissioned as part of its redevelopment.

Chloe Buck, an artist from Saltburn, created the etched glass panels along the main yellow mall at James Cook. The design was inspired by Cook's voyages and shows flora and fauna of the southern hemisphere. It also includes an engraved panel of benefactors' names to recognise donations made to the project.

Colourful Murals
Both hospitals feature colourful and stimulating murals by commercial artist Steve Robson in patients' wards, and various departments including the X-Ray department, Cleveland Assessment unit, and Accident and Emergency.



Chapel Windows
Artist Josie Kyme produced the glass for the chapel windows at James Cook. Her aim was to transform the blank window spaces to be a focal point, offering hope and harmony. She used antique or hand made glass for its characteristic movement, adding dimension to the etching, staining and painting techniques used to achieve an abstract design. The glass features soft flowing lines and colours that echo waves and light on the ocean's surface.

Children’s Outpatients
Husband and wife Jill Brewster and Lee Brewster produced designs for the floor, furniture and wall panels in the waiting area at James Cook, that were influenced by Cook's life and adventures. The tables and benches were carved with solid oak - the benches make different shapes such as a boat and the images were sourced from aboriginal art and ancient sea maps. The furniture emphasises the importance of wood as a material used in Cook's time. The wall panels depict lands far away, and the floor depicts a journey across water. There are also various animals from different cultural backgrounds, that make the environment brighter and more stimulating for children.

Journey to Theatre
Artist Fiona Rutherford worked with children from the paediatric wards and local schools and created colourful designs in panels along the route to the operation theatre, that were intended to comfort children on the way to their operation.



Children’s Sculptures
Graham Ibbeson, a well known sculptor, casted bronze statues of children in 1986 for the courtyards at Friarage Hospital. As part of the redevelopment, the statues were refurbished and many more were added by Ibbeson to brighten up the hub area, having previously been housed at the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood.



Football and Landscape
Artist Mackenzie Thorpe presented James Cook with a set of signed prints of his works 'The Game of Life'. He also presented a print of landmark painting 'Out of a Cloud' to Friarage Hospital, which depicts the bleak yet beautiful landscape of North Yorkshire.

He has said of his works: "I am very proud of my association with the Healing Arts Project and hope this body of work is enjoyed by visitors to the hospital. If my work stirs some thoughts and emotions at whatever level then I feel I have done my job."