Ward 6 patients have recently been involved in the 2021 British Ceramics Biennial (BCB), decorating plates which were displayed at the event.
Stevan Thompson, Activity Co-ordinator, Ward 6, explains more.
”I was very pleased and proud that Ward 6 patients took part in an international festival and produced outstanding artwork. I have watched during the pandemic how patients have missed loved ones and home. BCB gave us an opportunity to work our ideas, thoughts and feelings, turning them into art work.
“We were involved making plates via the online workshops; this was fun and our individual ceramic pieces were proudly displayed at the BCB festival at The Goods Yard in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Jo, the artist involved, said:
“These plates were created in one-to-one sessions with patients on Ward 6…following an online workshop, Activity Co-ordinator Stevan worked with individuals to make a plate and also explore their memory of home through collage.
“Stevan explained that recalling and describing aspects of home was a source of comfort for some of the patients. Ward 6 at Harplands regularly use creativity to explore their thoughts and feelings. The plate featuring the Royal Family wearing gloves was part of a display created within the hospital to try and find humour, education and understanding in all the additional PPE that became necessary during the pandemic.”
The plates have been returned to Ward 6 and will be on display in the cabinet in the main corridor of the Ward.
For more information about BCB, please visit https://www.britishceramicsbiennial.com/festival/bcb2021/ . The next BCB festival takes place in 2023.