Dulwich Picture Gallery launches new health-led art commission series for children’s services

Can art help a community become happier and healthier?

Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Tessa Jowell Health Centre (TJHC) are calling for submissions for a new health-led art commission series to show that no one is too young to experience great art.

The new digital art commission is set to be displayed in the Children’s Services area of the TJHC centre in East Dulwich.

This is the second of four art commissions which invite artists to create and develop site-specific work for the centre.

The work will follow the unveiling of the inaugural commission, The Health Centre’s Quilt.

The impressive large-scale artwork by local artist collective Bamidele Awoyemi, Farouk Agoro and Livia Wang, currently adorns the glass balustrade at the heart of the centre’s reception area.

Now the Gallery and TJHC turn their attention to the field of digital or technology-led art, inviting artists to produce work that will play a vital role in making such an integral space feel welcoming, engaging and safe.

The Children’s Services, delivered by Evelina London, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, provide vital support to families and young people in the Southwark area.

Positioned opposite the health centre’s garden courtyard, the Children’s Services area at TJHC is a prime location for a piece of art, which will be seen by all of those using the family orientated services at the centre.

For this commission, the Gallery and TJHC are looking for an interactive artwork that is designed specifically to be child friendly and engaging for diverse families.

Alexander Moore, Creative Producer at Dulwich Picture Gallery, said: “No one is too young to experience great art.

“This new interactive commission will provide positivity and wellbeing for children, parents, carers and the staff at Tessa Jowell Health Centre.

“By integrating innovative digital art into the spaces at the centre we can support healthier and happier communities through creativity.”

Sam Hepplewhite, Place Based Director, Southwark, at NHS South East London CCG, said: “We’re excited to open up application for the second art commission.

“The centre isn’t just somewhere which provides healthcare, we also want it to help support the wellbeing of Southwark people.

“We hope this artwork, once installed, will help support a healthier and happier community by creating a more creative and accessible space for children to receive care.”

Find out more about the commissions and the partnership between Dulwich Picture Gallery and NHS South East London CCG that brings together art, programming, training and community participation here.