A Day in the Life: Ruth Charity, Arts Lead, artlink, Oxford Hospitals Charity

As we continue our conversation in the series, A Day in the Life, we are thrilled to welcome Ruth Charity.

As a curator with more than 25 years experience in commissioning contemporary art, Ruth has in more recent times focused on work for public spaces, particularly in the field of arts and health. Her background is in visual arts curation – working for the British Council’s Visual Arts Department (1989-92) touring exhibitions overseas, as a curator at The Photographers’ Gallery, London (1992-97), Curator of the Mead Gallery at Warwick Arts Centre (1997), and Assistant Director of Artpoint, the public art commissioning agency for the South of England (1997- 2005). Ruth has always been interested in commissioning new work by artists in response to particular contexts, in supporting artists in taking their work in new directions, and involving and engaging the public in the development of new work.

In 2007 she founded artlink, the arts programme for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Past projects include a 5 storey wall painting by Michael Craig-Martin for the Children’s Hospital atrium; a £250k integrated art programme for a new Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital; a extensive photographic project by Jan von Holleben to provide distraction on routes from children’s wards to theatres; and a Wellcome funded collaboration by artist Susan Morris and a chronobiologist to create a series of large tapestries reflecting sleep/wakefulness patterns.

Additional freelance work has included the curation of a programme of work by photographer Gina Glover for the Oxford Fertility Centre; a series of commissions for new library and student facilities at Oxford Brookes University; and work on a Public Art Strategy for the Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Birmingham (for Willis Newson).

Ruth has written on contemporary art in catalogues and journals. In 2005 she edited the publication ReViews: Artists and Public Space (Black Dog Publishing), an extensive review of Artpoint’s projects, focussing on the artist’s experience within public art practice.

 

How does a good day begin: Cycling to work – preferably on a dry and sunny day.

What is the first thing you do when you start work: Look through my emails and decide on my priorities for the day. The Artlink programme uses the arts to support the health and wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff at the four hospitals of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity (www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/artsforhealth). The work is wide ranging and each day is different which makes my job forever interesting and stimulating.

What are you currently working on: I’m always juggling a wide range of projects. At the moment I’m working with artist Alison Milner on a colour scheme and arts programme for a large new surgical building at the John Radcliffe Hospital. We often work with artists at an early stage of the development of new buildings to integrate art into the fabric of the building as well as influence the colour of walls, doors, wall protection, flooring and furniture to create calm and welcoming spaces. We often look to nature for inspiration as imagery of green spaces is proven to enhance wellbeing. Alison has designed tiled artwork and imagery on light boxes and glazing, based on walks through the local Oxfordshire countryside. Her work will make a huge difference to the building and we hope we provide a positive distraction for anxious patients and their families as well as beautiful place for staff to work.

I’m also working on a number of projects for younger patients – bringing fun and play into the hospital to assuage anxieties – and for older patients and those with dementia – using artwork to prompt conversation and memories, and help staff connect with the individual behind the illness.

Artlink runs a regular music on wards programme – bringing music to bedsides, a staff wellbeing programme including a staff arts club and two choirs, poetry for staff and patients, and a changing programme of temporary exhibitions – so work is never dull.

What does your job continue to teach you: That the arts can have a profound effect on our sense of wellbeing – that they add humanity to what can feel like sterile and clinical environments, and that music and creativity can do so much to lift our spirits and support us through difficult times. There is now growing research of the real measurable benefits of the arts on our health – most recently in Daisy Fancourt’s book ‘Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform our Health’

Influential piece/s of art and why do they mean so much to you: The largest project I’ve worked in for the hospitals is a brilliantly coloured five storey wall painting by artist Michael Craig-Martin – his largest artwork in this country. It was a challenge to plan and develop and to raise funding. All our projects are funded by charitable donations through Oxford Hospitals Charity and this artwork was made possible by the amazing support of donors who wanted to create a positive and uplifting view for long stay patients in our children’s hospital. Its vibrant colour still brings me joy whenever I walk past.

Most productive part of your day: This varies from day to day but I always love seeing artwork being installed after several months of planning and seeing the reactions of staff and patients.

Essential skills or training for your role: So many! I’ve worked all my life as a curator and public art consultant but have learned so many more skills from my role here – from working with musicians, writers and poets, to the unique challenges and opportunities of working in an NHS setting.

How do you decompress once you finish work: I’m a member of our hospital staff choir. It’s such a joy to sing with others. I always cycle home singing the lyrics of our latest number – we’re currently singing Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers – a fabulous song.

Looking back, what remains your most rewarding professional experience: Being involved in establishing NAHN, the National Arts in Hospitals Network (www.nahn.org.uk), and bringing together the many wonderful people who deliver arts programmes in hospitals across the country to share expertise and experience. Together we are stronger in raising the profile of what we do and arguing for the value of the arts in healthcare. Many of us work alone or in small teams so a network of support has been invaluable.

If you could take any piece of artwork home with you for a weekend, what would it be: One of Harriet Riddell’s stitched artworks of staff. Harriet brought her sewing machine into our hospitals and live-sketched staff as they pedalled a bicycle which powered her machine. Each portrait incorporates fabrics to match staff uniforms and text from her conversations with the sitter. So skilful to watch and such fabulous work.