Adam Drouet, Amanda Van Der Zant, Kath Lovett and Klaus Pinter - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 4 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Adam Drouet, Amanda Van Der Zant, Kath Lovett and Klaus Pinter. The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Adam Drouet
Adam Drouet's most recent art projects have been a response to his experiences as a health care professional. In 2019 Adam undertook an artist’s residency at a local dementia care home, a setting with which he is very familiar. This resulted in a series of drawings and paintings focusing on both the residents and carers – two groups who are out of the public gaze and often overlooked, as has been highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. He depicts the interactions between them, capturing the constant small, tender acts of loving care which he witnessed.

A previous large collaged work, combining text, images and artifacts, was inspired by the memories of the people and places visited on domiciliary visits in Truro over the last twelve years. This piece reflects on how we affect, and are in turn affected, by all of our clients, becoming the custodians of their stories and the memory of their human spirit; it is a work which resonates powerfully with fellow health and care workers.

Adam graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Falmouth University in 2009, and combines artistic practice with his work as a podiatrist, a job he has done in many settings since 1987. His main interest is figurative drawing and oil painting, particularly portrait, the figure and still life. His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows in Cornwall and London.
For more information visit: adamdrouetart.wordpress.com

Amanda Van Der Zant
During the past six years our family has been cared for by the health workers of two of our major hospitals in Brisbane.  Princess Alexandra Hospital (Woolloongabba) and the Mater Hospital Brisbane (South Brisbane).  My husband contracted a blood infection 6 years ago and was cared for in the PA Infectious disease ward for 3 weeks, while my father-in-law was treated at the Mater for about 6 years for Leukaemia sadly passing away in 2018.  My Mother-in-law received treatment for breast cancer at the Mater during this time as well.  The support and care our family members received was amazing.  While medicine and treatments can ease the pain and suffering it is the dedication and hard work of the health workers who made the difference for our family.  The current Covid19 Pandemic is a reminder of how lucky we lay people are because of the health workers and their dedication. 

I graduated in February 2019 from Curtin University Perth Australia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Visual Culture after studying part time for five years.  As a mature aged student I developed my painting, drawing and printmaking skills during this time.  After graduating I have continued my work as an art aide in a Brisbane school whilst continuing my own art practice on weekends and school holidays.  I have gained the confidence to pursue my art practice and have entered various art prize competitions in Australia and overseas during 2019 and 2020 with pleasing results.
My experience as an artist is limited but my eagerness to develop my art practice is my aim right now.  I still have so much to learn and experience as a practicing artist.

Straddie (2019)
North Stradbroke Island is just off the coast of Queensland.  The island has the most amazing beaches of crystal clear water, white sand and near perfect weather all year round.  It is no wonder visitors from all over the world come to experience the tranquillity and beautiful seascape of the island.  Locals and visitors fondly refer to the island as Straddie (2019) hence the title for my painting.
Swimming in the ocean allows me to regenerate my mind and body.  My painting is concerned with my sense of place and being connected to nature through swimming in the ocean.  The feeling of mindfulness one can experience when submerged in a body of water are my ‘Ingredients for a Healthy Life'.  The calming and soothing effect on the body is nature’s gift to all of us, it’s free.

Kath Lovett

Klaus Pinter

Jenny Meehan, Melanie Honebone, Richard Young and Corinne - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 4 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Corinne, Jenny Meehan, Melanie Honebone and Richard Young. The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Corinne
“I deeply respect and am thankful for the carers, nurses, doctors and other health professions, who have dedicated their lives to our care”.

My distinctively dark and evocative self-portrait photographs intimately reflect my ongoing struggles with mental health. My fear of leaving home alone often leaves me feeling increasingly isolated.  I am currently working on a new series ‘ A Bedtime Story’ the photographs are all created within the same, 2 by 1.5 meter space; my bed . I believe my bedroom to be the keeper of my trapped and often repressed emotions. I enjoy exhibiting  my work, notable exhibitions include ‘Space’ a young artist exhibition at TATE Liverpool, ‘Prescriptions’ at The Beaney Museum of Art and Knowledge  and ‘Art of Identity’ at Dulwich Picture Gallery. My work also forms part of the University of Kent’s ‘Artist’s Books and the Medical Humanities’ Collection.

Melanie Honebone
"Without our carers we are nothing. Enriching the soul with arts is futile if we have no body left."

Melanie Honebone is a Wales-based fine artist and social care worker. She often works with mixed media and photography. Recent works have evolved her practice to include three dimensional mixed media art forms based on dolls, mannequins, and the human form. During the pandemic her art-making has taken a backseat in favour of supporting the health and well-being of her social care clients.
https://melaniehonebone.wordpress.com/

Jenny Meehan
"I found the nurses who cared for me during my total knee replacement a few years ago inspirational. It gave me an appreciation of how much love and care can transform really difficult experiences into pivotal, transformative times in a patients life. To be cared for well is healing and transformative."

Jenny Meehan is a professional artist who works mainly with paint, digital imagery, and writing.  

She takes process-led approach, and her work is autobiographically rooted and expressionistic. Her  artworking acts as a kind of ""re membering"": a way of bringing things together. Her interests include the contemplative way of life, trauma recovery, and psychoanalysis.
https://jennymeehan.wordpress.com/

Richard Young
I was unfortunate to have an accident during 2018 and suffered a severe nose bleed which I could not stop, despite stuffing my nose with tissues, tilting my head in all directions and covering my face with bags of frozen vegetables! I read online that if I could not stop the bleeding within 15 minutes, I should call 111. Upon doing so, I was asked how long it had been bleeding and approximately how many cups of blood I had lost and when I answered around 4 hours and several cups, though I had swallowed much more, an ambulance was immediately despatched to rescue me at 6am! The ambulance arrived within 10 minutes and the crew ladies were so kind to me. I felt soooo embarrassed being taken in an ambulance with a nose bleed and apologised profusely for my messy clothes and unshaven appearance. Fortunately, the A&E ward at the Royal Berkshire Hospital was quiet and armed with a trial solution, several inserts and lots of pressure, a doctor managed to stop the bleeding in around 15 minutes. Overjoyed that I was at last under control, albeit feeling quite wobbly, I sent a selfie to my partner Sarah who was working in Saudi Arabia and I had missed several of her calls. Sarah called immediately and although concerned, asked how I was now feeling. I said I was great, as I was in bed and had the undivided attention of three pretty nurses!!!! Obviously, Sarah caught the next flight home to rescue me once again!

On a serious note though. The 111 helpline, ambulance staff, doctor and 3 nurses were brilliant for something so stupidly embarrassing as a nose bleed!

Following recovery, I contacted the Voluntary Services Manager and was invited to conduct a month long solo charity art exhibition in several wards of the hospital in aid of the Foundation Trust’s Charity. I made lots of lovely people, have some great reference photo’s and was fortunate to sell 18 framed prints which raised £540 as attached: https://ryoung-art.com/2019/01/10/the-passion-of-dance-and-music-royal-berkshire-hospital-charity-exhibition/ 

Following on from this I am scheduled to exhibit there again in November / December 2020.

I am a professional artist based in Wokingham, Berkshire.
I have extensively developed my own personal style and technique, I create all oil paintings entirely using a knife and mixing only on the canvas.
The style of my artwork is a contemporary realism, influenced by the romanticism of my favourite post renaissance classical Masters and their timeless masterpieces. William Bouguereau in particular. My artwork compositions mostly entail dramatic lighting and shading. I simply adore light and am fascinated with its arguably undue influence on any subject.
Predominantly figurative, I aim to capture a carefully composed mood, atmosphere, drama, passion and emotion of the performance in a frozen realism, rather than a portrait of the performers themselves.
I am an award-winning artist and have exhibited extensively throughout the UK and internationally.
www.ryoung-art.com

Nicole Lyster, Anna O'Doherty, Daniel Zlota, Jon Halls, Rakhee Shah - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 5 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Nicole Lyster, Anna O'Doherty, Daniel Zlota, Jon Halls and Rakhee Shah. The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Nicole Lyster
"My mother is a Nurse and Midwife and gave me life. My children require my role as a Carer and the expertise of Nurses to keep them alive.  The NHS is part of my family and has been an essential supporting structure for over 20 years of dealing with Cystic Fibrosis.  I applaud it everyday.  Recently the world has come to realise the bravery and dedication it takes to face the trials of illness in others and help them to overcome this and it applauds this.  When the pandemic is over I will still be applauding the Nurses and Carers in my life as I did before and the world should remember and continue to join me."

Nicole Lyster grew up and went to school in North London, where she enjoyed science and art in equal measure, finding them to be complementary to each other, rather than in conflict. She spent some formative years living in East London whilst she expanded her mind with a Degree in Philosophy and further developed her love of learning whilst living in South London and training to be a teacher. She moved to West London to undertake her career in teaching and help to develop young minds. Nicole continued to reside there whilst undertaking her MBA and practicing as a management consultant, helping to develop businesses and managers. She now lives permanently with her family in West London and has the luxury of developing herself and her art, rather than other people.
http://www.harrowopenstudios.com/wp/artists/n-l-ceramics-nicole-lyster/

Daniel Zlota
"A nurse is like a mom: she listens to you, she takes care of you  and then you left. My mom is a nurse. I love you mom!"

Daniel Zlota: painter, architect, entrepreneur, traveler, dreamer.
With a successful career in architecture and interior design, the artist is now entirely devoted to his first passion, painting.
Daniel Zlota excellently combines mixed techniques such as acrylic paint, watercolor, pencil, charcoal, pastel and collage. His works are impressive through the way he uses colors, expressing optimism, authenticity and desire to enjoy life.
He finds inspiration in his travels, family life and music. He likes to experiment and innovate with original projects such as Bio Art, Emotion Touch and Art Collage.
His works are in personal collections all around the world: US, Mexico, England, Italy, Spain, France, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania. His desire is to exhibit in as many places around the world as possible so that his art can be seen, heard and lived.
www.danielzlota.com
https://www.instagram.com/danielzlota/
https://www.facebook.com/DanielZlotaArt/

Anna O'Doherty

Jon Halls

Rakhee Shah
Rakhee specialises in oil painting but has dabbled in other media as well like acrylics, charcoal, pastels, mixed media, etc. Besides , Rakhee has created modern art paintings like Earthscapes, Historic Ruins, Underwater Life, etc

Rakhee is an artist since the last 27 years and has had 61 prestigious exhibitions and events mostly in UK and some in Mumbai, India.
Rakhee has created nearly 1200 paintings.
Rakhee has donated 717 paintings to Hospitals, Cancer Centres, Institutions, NGOs, etc. all over the world globally.
Rakhee’s paintings have gone to various countries like UK, USA, France, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, India, etc.
Rakhee has also donated to UNICEF and UNESCO.
Rakhee has entered the Limca Book of Records
for maximum donation of paintings in the world.
www.arterakhee.com
My twitter handle is @RakheeShah13

Laura Parker, Gabriella Ranito-Baltazar, Julie Bennett and Martina Scott - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 4 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Laura Parker, Gabriella Ranito-Baltazar, Julie Bennett and Martina Scott. The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Laura Parker

"During the Coronavirus pandemic I have a doctor friend in Italy who is on the front line of caring for Covid19 patients.  As well as being the director of emergency services for one particular hospital , since January this year he is also managing the task force for the whole of the Abruzzo region. As he says, he’s dealt with tragedies such as deadly earthquakes, but has never had to deal with something like this pandemic. As so many doctors all over the world, he is working every hour he can, pushing himself and his team to the limit, and of all the people I know I am most admiring and most worried about him.  Every Thursday evening, standing on my doorstep clapping as hard as I can, I think of him and of all the other front-line doctors and nurses everywhere who are doing such courageous work."

Laura Parker 2020

I am a self-taught artist and painter, and enjoy discovering different ways of depicting the world around me, from expansive landscapes, to dramatic underwater views and intimate still lifes.

Originally a historian of art and architecture, then a curator and consultant in the architectural field, I turned later in life towards the direct experience of creating artworks myself. 

I work predominantly in acrylics or oils on canvas, but I also explore the use of other materials.  I enjoy using colour to enhance and add drama to a painting and so help communicate my artistic vision, as well as bringing energy and vitality to my paintings.

My aim as a painter is to express the hidden beauty I find in objects and scenes, offering the viewer a personal interpretation of the world where our individual sensibilities might meet.

http://www.lauraparkerart.co.uk

Martina Scott

Julie Bennett

Gabriella Ranito-Baltazar

Monique Martin, Mark Carr, Lieske Weenink and SEAN WORRALL - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 4 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Monique Martin, Mark Carr, Lieske Weenink and SEAN WORRALL. The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Monique Martin
Since the first humans used their spine of 33 bones to stand up and look to the horizon they have been fossilizing the future for others. Through evolution, skill development, and luck, societies have come and gone from this planet. Countless decisions were made in the moment in order to secure a future for themselves and following generations. Each decision made in the past affected the now. Each good idea or error in judgement made can be experienced over time, possibly even affecting generation to generation. When making decisions in the “now” care must be taken because that decision could fossilize the future and impact others who we may or may not meet.  This idea of changing the future for others must be an incredible amount of pressure for any nurse. I am grateful for all they do and have done for me in the past. About a year ago I had emergency hand surgery and the nurses I had were so good to me and so supportive, it made the terrible time much less terrible.  Their support allowed me to draw, with my good hand, on large pieces paper on the walls of my room when in the hospital, which led to a series of work called "Critical Pieces" 
Nurses are critical pieces in the healthcare system.
Here are some images of what I drew.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M626HCU6duo 
 https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIk1TDnTx8/ 

Monique is a multi-disciplinary based artist in Saskatoon, Canada.
Monique has exhibited her artwork in more than 200 significant solo, invited and juried group exhibitions in ten countries. Her works are held in more than forty-four public and private collections in ten different countries. Her work often uses significant symbols or comments on contemporary social issues. Using specific concepts, Monique creates bodies of work rather individual pieces and once she has exhausted a concept she moves on to a new concept. Her works push the boundaries of standard printmaking: enormous scale printmaking, installation based printmaking and working with three dimensions in printmaking.
Monique finds that her work develops well when she is away from her regular routine in her own studio, so she often seeks out artist in residence positions in other locations, or is invited to be Artist in Residence. She was Artist in Residence for Disneyland Paris, Paris, France (2013), Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival (2013), Saskatchewan Children's Festival (2012), Bytown Museum, Ottawa, Canada (2010), Spalding, United Kingdom (2008), Nice, France (2006), Vallauris, France (2006), Mount Vernon, USA (2004), Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia (2003) and Coaticook, QC, Canada (2001).
www.moniqueart.com    
twitter/insta:  @moniquesart
monique@moniqueart.com

Mark Carr
"My mother trained as a nurse in WW2 caring for injured and sick airmen. When the NHS was created by the post war labour Government, she was one of the first drafts of nurses to join the NHS. She continued to work for the NHS until 1970.
My eldest sister trained as a nurse in the navy during the 1960’s. After her military service she worked in the NHS until she retired.
My middle sister trained as a nurse at the Royal Northern Hospital, London in the 1970’s. She worked for the NHS until she immigrated to Australia in the mid 80’s, where she continued her medical career
So even though I am not a medical person myself, I have the NHS in my blood, and, unlike so many people in the country, I have been clapping the NHS all my life and will continue to do so in the privacy of my own home. Let’s hope after this emergency is over the NHS will receive the proper funding it so desperately needs, making ‘cap in hand’ charitable donations a thing of the past, not the future."
Mark Carr 2020

I have been making and exhibiting art in the UK since my teenage years, gaining a BA (hons) Fine Art in 1984 and an MA Fine Art in 1994. For brief periods in 1988 and 1990 I worked and exhibited in Australia. My work is in public and private collections in the UK, America and Australia. Originally a print -maker and painter, I now concentrate on multimedia work incorporating many elements, including: video, music, sound, print, painting and lighting effects. My work is essentially political and figurative. In 2018 I completed a new series of paintings and prints entitled - CUP OF LIFE , which commented on the 'Human Condition' in the 21st century. This work was exhibited in Oxford, Nuneaton, and Newcastle 2018/19. In 2019 I spent 8 months in dialogue with DJ and musicologist Trevor Johnson, creating new 1 hour video/performance work entitled - The SCREAM. This is an autopsy mental ill health, specifically my own. I am currently endeavouring to find a suitable space and access the funds to present this work. Lastly, I am developing a new series of work about the 'Friends' who access the Peoples Kitchen in Newcastle for free food and other essential services. I volunteered here, as part of a cooking team, for two years. This work will include a video, 30 paintings and between 10 and 15 large scale woodcut prints. I live and work in County Durham teaching part-time to support my practice.

https://www.markcarrart.com/

Lieske Weenink

SEAN WORRALL

Helen Grundy, Daniele Bongiovanni, Jade Atkinson and Laura Atkinson - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 4 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Helen Grundy, Daniele Bongiovanni, Jade Atkinson and Laura Atkinson. The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Helen Grundy

"Three years ago I was being treated for metatastic thyroid cancer, I will never forget the kindness and compassion of the nurses who helped me through the first few days after major surgery. I will always be grateful to them."

 I am a contemporary fine artist based in Birmingham, UK. I am an object maker, a creator of digital and paper collages and I also make coloured pencil drawings. I graduated from The Birmingham School of Fine Art in 2004 and since then have been exhibiting both nationally and internationally.  My practice is driven by my desire to work with unusual materials and to create works that are surreal, provocative and humourous. I am fascinated by the phenomenon of nostalgia and its bittersweet effect on our senses. I feel that each artwork I make is a souvenir from my life. I am currently exploring new directions with collage and trying to incorporate new materials, new processes and want to try and invent a new art form.
Helen Grundy 2020

Laura Atkinson

Jade Atkinson

Daniele Bongiovanni

Gerrard Lindley, Hannah Lehane and Jina Wallwork - Art of Caring 2020

Welcome to the Art of Caring 2020. Today we introduce the work of 3 artists who have contributed work to this year's exhibition.... Gerrard Lindley, Hannah Lehane and Jina Wallwork.
The Art of Caring is an annual inclusive international art exhibition celebrating Nurses, Midwives, Carers, and the NHS. Thank you to the School of Nursing at Kingston University for their support.

Gerrard Lindley

"I also work as a support worker to someone with learning disabilities (an occupation I've been involved with for 25 years ), so I've seen first hand for a long time the dedication, support, empathy, and understanding care workers bring  to their job."

Gerrard Lindley is a freelance artist / illustrator, living and working from an open studio in North Devon. He worked in the publishing, print, advertising, and greetings card industry for many years, but now  focusses mainly on fine art. He uses reclaimed material and collage in much of his work, drawing inspiration from music, performance, pop art and abstract expressionism. He is also a p/t musician playing harmonica with THE JUKES, a band from north devon playing a mix of rhythm n blues, rockabilly, and rock n roll roots.

See further work from Gerrard at  We Have All Been Here Before on Facebook

Jina Wallwork

Jina Wallwork is an artist living in Great Britain. All of the artforms that she uses are a part of her voice. For Jina, art is a means of communication. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and it can be found in various public collections including the MoMA and the Smithsonian. Sometimes Jina speaks with images and at other times she expresses herself through words and music.
http://jinawallwork.com/

Hannah Lehane