IMAGES from the past and present feature in a new hospital art project aimed at inspiring older patients.

Students from Oxford’s Magdalen College School have created more than 25 works of art for a John Radcliffe Hospital corridor.

They range from old cameras and milk bottles to “then and now” images of the city such as Magdalen Bridge, Cornmarket Street and Queen Street.

A-Level students at the school in Cowley Place carried out the work as part of a programme to forge links with the community.

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It is on display on level seven in a corridor leading to ward 7C, an acute general medicine ward often used by older people.

Jeremy Tsang, 18, from Boars Hill, Oxford, said: “They wanted to reminisce about the olden times and so people with long-term memory problems could remember the times they had in the past.”

The maths, physics and chemistry student, who plans to study electrical engineering at university, said: “I am very pleased; we put in lots of effort.”

Jacob Adams, 17, of North Oxford, said: “To see your work up somewhere where others can appreciate it is nice.

Oxford Mail:

  • A photo combining old and new pictures of High Street

“I haven’t had a chance to do something like that before.”

The maths, further maths, physics and chemistry student, who wants to study engineering, added: “The nurses said a lot of people had already commented on it.

“It is really nice to see that.”

Cutteslowe’s James Goddard, 18, studying French, economics and maths, said: “I have enjoyed it. I took art at GCSE and decided not to take it at A-Level and I wanted to continue in some way.

“It felt nice to have a long-standing contribution – it will stay for quite a while.”

Oxford Mail:

  • A photo combining old and new pictures of Cornmarket Street looking towards Carfax

The students used archive photographs from the Museum of Oxford in the city’s town hall.

Museum reminiscence officer Helen Fountain said: “It has been lovely to work with the students on this project – they showed great flair and imagination in the creative process.”

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust arts co-ordinator Ruth Charity said: “Our brief to the students was to create new artwork that would be of particular interest to older people but would also be attractive to a broader age range of patients and staff.

“I am sure the images will provide interest and pleasure to many, and make the hospital a little less clinical and more welcoming in feel.”

Oxford Mail:

  •  James Goddard

School assistant registrar Annika Sweeney said: “It is clear that the pupils involved have worked diligently in creating some vibrant and site-specific images on the theme of memory and history.”

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