Cardiff & Vale Health Charity Patron, Artist Nathan Wyburn has created Words Bruise, which was commissioned by Wales Millennium Centre in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Words Bruise is made up of negative words and phrases used on social media that had been directed at NHS staff from throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan during the pandemic.
Nathan Wyburn, Artist said:
“It’s an honour to have been asked to work with both the Wales Millennium Centre and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity on this artwork. In March 2020 I created my “NHS THANK YOU” art, collaged together using images of frontline healthcare workers. This was a visual appreciation for their courage and bravery fighting what was an unknown virus.
“Fast forward almost 12 months and they are still fighting. Quite literally battered and bruised by Covid-19. I’ve heard and witnessed a lot of negativity towards the NHS over this period. These select phrases are just a tiny amount of the words used – given to me by healthcare professionals. I’ve stamped them to create an image of a frontline healthcare worker, bruised from wearing his essential PPE.”
Simone Joslyn, Head of Arts and Health Charity, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said:
“Within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board we are supporting people through very challenging times and art and creativity has never been so important to support the health and wellbeing of our patients, staff, volunteers and our communities. Within health settings we regularly meet patients and families at the toughest time in their lives. We treat them with dignity, respect and kindness regardless of their views or behaviours. This has been true even from a distance during the pandemic.
“Unfortunately, many healthcare workers have read words of hate, via social media when returning home after doing their best to care for others. We hope that this project, supported by our clinicians and Arts for Health and Wellbeing team reminds us all that we are not our worst mistake and hurt can turn into care when the viewpoint is changed.”
Emma Evans, Senior Producer, Wales Millennium Centre said:
“While our building is closed, we want to continue to amplify the voices of our friends and neighbours. We are delighted to have worked with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Nathan Wyburn on this artwork. Words Bruise explores some of more difficult and challenging stories behind the tales of hope and resilience from the NHS frontline. In a time of fake news and misinformation it reminds us that at the heart of this pandemic are people.”
You can find out more about how the work was created at http://www.wmc.org.uk
