Renowned artist, Marthe Armitage, was recently commissioned by hospital charity, CW+, to install her intricate ‘signature’ wallpaper designs in the Cardiac Care Unit and older patient wards at West Middlesex University Hospital, ‘to transform the environment for patients and their families’.
Marthe Armitage produces hand-printed wallpapers using the traditional technique of lino block printing, from her studio in Chiswick. A variety of her iconic and distinctive designs have been digitally printed using the latest technology onto vinyl which is a suitable material for the hospital environment. The designs were selected following a consultation process by CW+ with patients and staff.
Trystan Hawkins, director of Patient Environment at CW+, commented: “We are delighted to have installed Marthe’s beautifully designed wallpaper in our hospital. Her designs are inspired by the natural world, which research shows can really help calm and distract patients when used in a clinical setting.” The new wallpaper has reportedly ‘been warmly received’ by patients, visitors, and staff.
Dr Sadia Khan, consultant cardiologist, said: “Marthe’s wallpaper has transformed our unit, and we have had so many patients and visitors comment on how beautiful it is. Patients in the cardiac unit are often waiting to have heart tests, which can understandably be a worrying time, so creating a calm and tranquil environment is really important.”
Marthe Armitage has been designing hand-printed wallpapers for over 50 years, and is local to the hospital. She is a member and past Master of the Art Workers’ Guild, of which the iconic William Morris was himself Master in 1892. Now in her 80s, she continues to be as creative and innovative as ever.
She said: “I was very pleased to be asked to be involved in this project. I have not worked in a hospital before, so it’s lovely to see my designs in a new and different environment. I hope that my wallpaper will help to calm patients by giving them something to really look at. I find if you really look at something, it can help take your mind off yourself – which I hope will help these patients feel a bit more relaxed.”
CW+ is currently fundraising for its Sun and Stars Appeal, which it says ‘will transform the children’s inpatients wards at the hospital into a fun, welcoming and child-friendly environment’.
