In 2012 Paintings in Hospitals commissioned Danish artist Anne Harild to take up residence in the Paediatric Haematology department of St Mary’s Hospital.

During her residency, Anne explored and transformed the environment of St Mary’s Hospital. Over four months, she invited young patients from the department to engage with her creative process through animation workshops.

Anne Harild, Eventide, 2013. Part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection.

Young patients who suffered from leukaemia and other cancers saw their imagined shapes and characters come to life in front of them through simple animations created in collaboration with Anne, often at their bedside.

Still from a young patient's animation, created with Anne Harild using lino. A Paintings in Hospitals residency project.

The animation workshops provided a distraction from the isolation often felt by these young patients and offered a chance to be part of the wider project that raised their self-esteem and confidence.

“For Anne and myself it was one of the most rewarding projects we have ever delivered – heart-breaking at times – but the bravery and attitude of the children towards their illness was inspirational. iPads were given to the children, allowing them to share their artwork with their families, friends and the wider public.”

Assistant Curator, St Mary's Hospital

Anne Harild, Eventide Film Still #10, 2013. Part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection.

A final animation created by Anne in response to her residency formed part of an exhibition, alongside stills from the film, that went on display at St Mary’s for a year following Anne's time at the hospital. The film and stills became part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection and continue to go on display in hospitals across the country.

See more of our past projects...

This project was a collaboration with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and was funded by Outset.