As Large as Life by Quentin Blake has been published by Compton Verney to accompany a touring exhibition of work by this artist.
The British artist Quentin Blake (b. 1932) is perhaps best known for his illustrations of children's books by the late Roald Dahl Blake, illustrator of classics such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, has also written and illustrated his own books, including Mister Magnolia and Mrs Armitage. He has now added an entirely new dimension to his repertoire, creating paintings for display in hospitals and clinics. Faithful reproductions of these artworks have been touring galleries around the UK and for those not lucky enough to view one of these installations, this publication provides a fascinating insight into the stories behind the paintings.
Creating Art for Hospitals and Clinics
The tradition of creating art for hospital settings was started almost 300 years ago by William Hogarth. Hogarth, a key activist and fund-raiser on behalf of London's Foundling Hospital, donated many of his own works. The Foundling Hospital became Britain's first public art gallery. This publication looks specifically at paintings commissioned by organisations such as Northwick Park Hospital in north-west London; Vincent Square Clinic, London; the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Angers, France; and Alexandra Avenue Health and Social Care Centre in South Harrow.
The Layout of the Publication
The book opens with a Foreword by Dr Steven Parissien, director of Compton Verney, followed by five texts by Quentin Blake, and a closing chapter by Dr Nick Rhodes.
Blake discusses the place of digital technology and how it makes reproductions possible without loss of detail, thus allowing copies of his work to appear in exhibitions across the UK. He explains the rationale behind each series of paintings, and looks at the reactions of patients and doctors. Unless you are a patient, or visitor, it is unlikely you will ever see these paintings in situ, so opinions of patients and doctors are critical in assessing therapeutic value of these artworks. Many patients have said they felt inspired and uplifted, and doctors have commented that the artworks are as good as any medication.
The publication concludes with an outline of the work of the Nightingale Project and its collaborations with Quentin Blake. Dr Nick Rhodes, director of the project, explains its mission to bring art and music into hospitals and clinics, making treatment centres more user friendly, cheerful, and conducive to healing.
As Large as Life is available from Compton Verney, priced at £7.50, ISBN 9 780955 271960. The exhibition can be viewed at the Foundling Museum, London, until 15th April, 2012, and the museum has developed a free iPad app to accompany the display. After the exhibition closes it will tour the UK, appearing at Paisley Museum, Laing Art Gallery, and Kirkby Gallery.
Frances Spiegel - Frances Spiegel, B.A. Hons. (Open)., Dip.Eur.Hum., read Art History/European Modern History at the Open University.
