Spinal injury patients get creative

Archived press release

Date Published: 24/11/09

Patients at Buckinghamshire Hospital’s National Spinal Injuries Centre have been invited to take part in an innovative art project.

International artist Jan Niedojadlo is aiming to create a giant walk-in sculpture inspired by the human spinal column.

Jan visited the National Spinal Injuries Centre, based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, last week to develop ideas and encourage the patients to get involved.

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s arts development team have worked with Dr Alison Graham, consultant physician at the centre, to make the workshops possible.

“The workshops will encourage patients to put forward their ideas and feelings about the spine,” explained Jan. “These thoughts will be transferred into a three-dimensional structure, creating something which has a general movement from one end to the other but also has areas of contemplation to pause, stop and reflect.”

Following the sessions at the Spinal Injuries Centre, Jan will use the ideas gathered to create a huge interactive sculpture, or ‘podule’, made from a range of recycled materials, such as plastics, rubber and foam, and incorporating subtle effects of lighting, sound, texture and smell.

Once the sculpture is complete, it will be unveiled in Aylesbury but has the potential to be exhibited around the country.

Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at AVDC, said: “This is an unusual project but at the same time very exciting. The final outcome will be something that captures the imagination and draws people into another world. It will invite people to get close to the experiences of patients in the spinal injuries centre.

“There is a strong demand for Jan’s work not only in this country but also across the world. Once this work is complete and exhibited around the country, it will take with it the message that Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympics. I am sure that this work will be enjoyed by many before returning to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in time for the London 2012 opening celebrations.”

Dr Alison Graham, consultant physician at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, added: “It was from Stoke Mandeville Hospital during the 1940s that Dr Ludwig Guttmann developed pioneering work with patients returning from the war with spinal injuries. Dr Guttmann introduced new methods of working including the introduction of competitive sport to motivate and inspire patients to come to terms with their injuries. This work transformed the lives of patients and led to the creation of the Paralympics. As a consequence, it is fitting that such work by Jan Niedojadlo should take place at the centre. We aim to introduce more opportunities for patients to get involved in practical art sessions for the same reasons as sport has been so popular.”

You can see examples of Jan’s work on his website: www.podule.org.uk