Fine Art transforms £40m maternity unit

A Fine Art student has spoken of her pride after seeing her work installed at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent.

Third year student, Nicola Hilditch produced 13 paintings for display on the walls of the hospital’s £40 million maternity unit, which opened in April 2009.

Inspired by the switches and signs of the old unit, Nicola’s idea was to create art for the new unit which would represent what was there before.

“I wanted to give new life to the signs and switches that were once overlooked, functional objects and turn them into pieces of art to be admired,” she explained.

“I hope my paintings offer staff and the public a sense of the past when they are bringing a child into the world; to take a moment out of the stress of the birth and look forward to that baby’s childhood with excitement and not anxiety.”

“It feels great to gain recognition for my work and see it displayed around the new maternity unit – I am very proud.”

Dymphna Sexton-Bradshaw, head of midwifery at UHNS, was full of praise for Nicola’s project: “We are delighted with Nicola’s paintings, which look fantastic, and she was a pleasure to work with. They are a nice reminder of the past for staff and the response to her pieces has been very positive.”

Nicola is the second Staffordshire University student to see her art in the hospital after work by fellow Fine Art student, Isabel Lima was installed last summer – and Dymphna said she would be “thrilled” to receive more artwork in 2010.

Gallery: View more artwork by Nicola Hilditch