Acrylic on Wood
 
By Stephanie Wassell, Amanda Gray, Hannah Johnson, Jill Armstrong & Rachel Robson
 
Tree of Hope
 
Tree of Hope aims to transform this waiting area into an interactive story telling space. The idea evolved from the time I spent with the Diabetes Team in this centre. During the course of art workshops, everyone freely told his or her stories about their healthcare journey. Slowly, I felt a bond forging between myself and the group. The origin of the word “healing” means to make whole. We are healing through sharing our stories. Our group dialogue inspired me to create a space with art for all the hospital users, to share their stories and wishes.
 
I invited local students to participate in this project, because I wanted to bring in their youthful spirit to the hospital. Created by the sixth-form students from Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, Tree of Hope is a collaborative project led by Stephanie Wassell, who wishes to study medicine after finishing her A-levels.
 
I would like to thank Ms Sheenagh McIntyre, head of Art Department at Queen Elizabeth High School, who supported the students throughout the project, and her students Stephanie Wassell, Amanda Gray, Hannah Johnson, Jill Armstrong and Rachel Robson for their time and talent in making this piece; and finally Jill’s father Mr. Armstrong as well as Stephanie’s parents for their assistance to their daughters in making Tree of Hope.
 
Poyan Yee
Artist-curator
January 2010
Students and their teachers at the reception ceremony
Draft of Tree of Hope
Before the installation