_Barking Hospital: Scanography Series

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Triptych: Eastbury toys (with Nathan's lizard)

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This commission, delivered between summer 2011 and spring 2012, involved the creation of a series of permanent artworks for the new hospital in Barking, commissioned by Barking and Dagenham NHS. Project managers Studio 3 Arts worked with four artists to create a combination of participatory and artist lead artworks focused on several areas throughout the building – GP area, Midwifery, HIV, Sexual health, Mental health services, and communal areas.

During the workshop phase, images were developed with participant groups using two main techniques; object-based scanography, and the use of a multi-participant doodle screen. The scanography technique involves re-purposing outdated flatbed scanners as large format cameras (for this project the scanner dated from 2002). The time it takes the scanner head to traverse the bed means the process can be used to great effect in capturing still objects, and the workshops provided a wealth of "still life" imagery. These were a mix of purposely selected and random objects; some were brought along by participants to demonstrate items they always carried with them on hospital visits (a lipstick, a USB drive, pens and notepads) whilst others were sourced from workshop venues and surroundings (a toy tea set, plastic animals, a feather). 

The final works were created for the midwifery unit, largely but not exclusively drawing on imagery developed at Eastbury Children's Centre. They include window and wall graphics, perspex reverse mounted digital Lamda prints, and a duratran/lightbox work.

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