Wendy Aldiss, The Care Collection
The Care Collection by Wendy Aldiss brings over 100 photographic images of items from the Ashmolean Museum collection into an acute hospital setting.
The artwork created from these images occupies an entire corridor leading to Trauma and Critical Care departments at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and is designed to bring distraction and interest to patients and their families, and improve the working environment of staff. The objects included have been chosen by the artist in collaboration with hospital staff and patients, and range from ceramics and paintings, to jewellry and snowboots. Staff were introduced to the collection through tours of the museum as well as sessions in which museum staff brought objects into staff rooms for hospital staff to handle and discuss.
As well as the objects and pictures currently preserved in the UK’s oldest museum, you’ll find Wendy has ‘hidden’ a few things that may be there one day, after another 100 years.
This project has been developed by artlink, the hospital arts programme, and made possible by the kind patronage of the Winston Family and with support of Oxford Hospitals Charity. It would not have been possible without the help of the Ashmolean Museum staff.
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Photographer Wendy Aldiss was born in Oxford, UK and studied photography at Trent Polytechnic. Her interest is in people and the human condition/experience. Her work is influenced by the people around her and key stages in life. Wendy’s images include the portrayal of people themselves through environmental portraits, and the depiction of emotions and experiences.
Wendy works in film as well as digital. She was nominated for RPS 100 Heroines in 2018 and in 2022 shortlisted for the Photo London Nikon Emerging Photographer Award. Wendy was nominated for the Prix Pictet this year. Awarded an Arts Council DYCP Grant in 2022 Wendy is exploring photo encaustic as a medium.
Wendy has been Photographer in Residence at the Radcliffe Infirmary hospital, Oxford, documented the Banbury Stockyard and worked with Oxford’s mental health charity, Restore, creating work and running workshops and has run workshops with other artists at the Elizabeth Fry charity.
Wendy is represented by the LA Noble Gallery in London
Wendy Aldiss
The Care Collection
John Radcliffe Hospital
Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU
Permanent installation. Can be viewed from 25 October
