Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield

Open Mind

2012-2013

Project Brief

To create a significant site-specific sculptural work at Fieldhead

Hospital, Wakefield, operated by South West Yorkshire

Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Those involved to include

professional artists, hospital staff and participants from a range

of wellbeing, and mental health services, including residents at

the Newhaven Unit (learning disability service) and the Bretton

Centre (low secure service). The final work to incorporate

elements of mosaic that reflect the aspirations and unique

perspectives of all those involved.

Introduction

The “Open Mind” project demonstrates the creativity of

service users and staff at Fieldhead Hospital. It was

conceived and facilitated by AiM (Artists in Mind), an arts

charity based in Huddersfield. AiM practises “wellbeing

through the arts” – harnessing the ability of the arts to

positively transform and enrich the lives of those who

experience acute and enduring mental ill health.

This booklet documents the creative processes involved,

the views of various participants about what they have

achieved, and the benefits produced.

Taster Workshops

Before the project began, a series of taster workshops were held with

staff and service users at Fieldhead. These began to explore the

possibilities of combining mosaic with sculptural forms, and looked at

broad themes that might contribute to the final work.

“I feel relaxed and confident

to get on with the work

without being troubled”

“I get totally into it and can

lose track of time.”

(service user comments)

“I arrived at the project with no predetermined ideas, I really wanted to be open minded about this design as I was aware I would be working with other artists, and people who often enjoy making art (hmm, what’s the difference? Probably not that much we decided!) So we started the project by looking at my work alongside that of some other artists who use mosaic in their work to get ideas flowing…” (lead artist Amanda Wray)

Visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park – Juan Plensa exhibition

Participants visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park to look at the work

of Spanish artist Juan Plensa.

Workshops

During 10 weeks of workshops, lead artist Amanda Wray worked

alongside two support artists from AiM (Jo Bramley and Jane Crewe),

service users and staff, as they all made their own mosaics, ceramics

and tiles which are included in the final artwork. One of the service

users was very keen on tattoo imagery, so it was decided to include

that within the final sculpture too. The group also referred to other

artists who often work with the head; as well as looking at quirky old

imagery of phrenology. All agreed it was great fun to use a variety of

techniques.

“Art is all about self – so this art has

to be about this group of people, at

this time, in this place.” (Amanda Wray)

Some initial Ideas in clay...

Making mosaics...

“Giving service users a creative role and allowing them space

to fully engage in an activity independently as well as giving

something new to do outside the ward environment has been

beneficial to their mental health.”

“It is very clever – a cycle of achievement is almost built in –

each stage within the design and build has been thought

through, designed, worked on, created, fired, and will be

placed in the big sculpture. The process has never been so big

as to be too daunting, and the sequential nature means that if

a service user drops out for a week or so, they have been able

to join back in easily.”

(staff members)

Biscuit fired ceramics and adding glazes...

“It feels better when

I’m here. This makes

sense to me. I will miss

it when it finishes.”

(service user)

The “big head” was constructed at Amanda’s studio.

At 2 meters high, it used over ½ ton of clay.

Kiln loads of ceramics were fired at the hospital by a very busy

and enthusiastic member of staff, thanks to technical assistance

and guidance from artist Johnny White. These were then used to

form the inside surface of the completed piece. They are based

on the imagery from the design stages, all of which seem full of

symbolism.

Construction of the Open Mind Sculptural Mosaic

“It was rewarding for me to work with an

adult group and to see each person’s

individual approaches to ideas. This made

me think about my own style, and how

important it is to me.” (Amanda Wray)

“Our design seems to have

evolved as the work was being

made, which has been a great

way to work as each small

element is an original artwork

in itself.” (Amanda)

The head represents self, identity

and personality, while the ceramic

objects and tiles include birds, which

represent freedom; houses, which

represent the home; and sunsets

representing paradise.

Installation

‘Open Mind’ arrived at Fieldhead in early February. A couple of days later

the blue glass flooring was installed, which makes a real difference and ties

the sculpture in to the whole area. A seating area will then complete the

installation.

Lead Artist: Amanda Wray

The selection process enabled both service users and staff at Fieldhead to

choose the professional artist with whom they wished to work on the

project.

Amanda originally trained and worked as a sculptor, usually working in cast

clay or stone. Over the past 15 she has worked more and more with

mosaics. Her work is regularly commissioned for parks and other public

spaces.

‘I valued taking the role of lead artist and felt it was key for me to combine

ideas in a true collaboration, whilst maintaining my own personal creative

input. This meant bringing together all the elements created by the

participants within a coherent overall concept.’

Support Artist: Jo Bramley

Jo, a professional artist who works for AiM, supported Amanda in the

workshops. 'My work brings together a fascination for the natural

landscape and the journeys I make within it.’

Support Artist: Jane C Crewe

Jane has had a studio with AiM for over seven years. She has exhibited and

sold work at Holmfirth Art Week. ‘I love bringing the outdoors in, using

colour and form to paint from nature.’

Trust Staff

The project workshops were also supported by Trust staff Paul Dews,

Dave Ogden, Claire Girvan, Claire Shanahan.

‘The creative process was very open to influence, but within boundaries

which we all agreed.’

“Open Mind can be accurately described as a shared artistic venture.

This approach, characterised by an open, inclusive and democratic

style in which decision making, artistic direction and creation of the

artwork has been largely shared, has been widely identified by artists,

staff and service users as the key factor in achieving the positive

outcomes and in generating the sculpture.”

(Independent Evaluation Report — Richard Sorton, icarus.uk.net)

Project Management – Richard Turner Project Brochure design – Lauren Pissochet

‘Open Mind’ was facilitated by AiM (Artists in Mind)

Bates Mill, Milford St. Huddersfield HD1 3DX

E: info@artists-in-mind.org.uk T: 01484 434 909

artists-in-mind.org.uk openmindbighead.wordpress.com

AiM (Artists in Mind) is a registered charity – no: 109 8044

Credits

Thanks to South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the

Arts Council England for their funding for this project.

Above all, thanks to all those who contributed their creativity to ‘Open

Mind’—service users, staff and artists.

AiM also gratefully acknowledges the support of

“There are parts of all of us in the sculpture.”