Participatory projects

Anna collaborates with artists and clinicians in bio-medical settings to create innovative public art emerging from extended creative collaborations in hospital settings.  Recent projects include: Kicking Up Our Heels (2019 – 2020),  The Heart of the Matter (2016 – 2019) and MILK (2015 – 18) with artist Sofie Layton.  For over a decade she has worked regularly with artist Mark Storor and together they have established an ethical approach to making high quality innovative public art about some of the most difficult issues of public health. Mark and Anna completed The Barometer of My Heart in September 2015.  Visiting Time (2004), Boychild (2007) and For the Best (2009) and (2010) explored the connections between bio-medical science and the experience of illness all funded by the Wellcome Trust. For the Best was the winner of the 2009 TMA Theatre Award  for best show for children and young people.

KICKING UP OUR HEELS

2019/2020

With a focus on parent and carer wellbeing Anna Ledgard was part of a research team with artists Emily Underwood-Lee, Brian Lobel and Emily Speed at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) (2019/20).  The team worked with parents at GOSH and GOSH Arts to consider the importance of finding space for yourself when you’re a parent or […]

 

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

2016 – 2019

The Heart of the Matter is an exhibition that brings together art and medicine to reflect on the human heart. Through artworks inspired by patients with heart conditions, their families and clinicians, the exhibition invites you to discover the extraordinary nature and complexity of this organ. The Heart of the Matter was conceived by artist Sofie Layton and bioengineer Giovanni Biglino, and developed with health psychologist Jo Wray and produced by Anna Ledgard, Susie Hall and Nicky Petto in association with GOSH arts and Artsadmin.

 

MILK

2015 – 2017

Sound and visual arts residency with staff and families attending the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Artist Sofie Layton.

 

The Barometer of My Heart

2013 - 2015

Arts project with Mark Storor exploring male health, masculine identity and potency in hospital, corporate and military settings. Performances Sept–October 2015.

 

Bedside Manners

2013

Arts residency with staff, parents and children at Evelina Children’s Hospital Renal Unit. visual and sound installation open to public. Artist Sofie Layton.

 

REST

2014-2016

Research project with Sofie Layton exploring creative artistic practices to express memories and experiences with bereaved parents.

 

Liverpool For the Best

2010

Re-imagined performance led by Mark Storor based on London show and informed by residency at Royal Liverpool University Hospital renal unit and local primary schools.

 

For the Best

2009

TMA Award winner 2009. imaginative exploration of family living with renal disease inspired by children living with dialysis, company led by Mark Storor.

 

Blood Makes Noise

2013

Arts residency with patients at Dorset County Hospital exploring stories, challenges and experiences of living with renal disease. Film maker Peter Snelling.

 

A Model Patient

2011

Arts residency with Mark Storor and Babis Alexiadis exploring renal care from perspectives of patient, nurse and consultant at Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

 

Visiting Time

2004

An exploration of the science and human impact of genetic inheritance led by artist Mark Storor with patients and staff at Dorset County Hospital and schools in Bridport.

 

Boychild

2007

An arts and science project exploring perceptions and attitudes towards maleness in society today. Artist Mark Storor.

 
The installation is beautiful and there is a huge need for the work you have done with parents, please come back.

Bedside Manners
Nurse

Making something makes the time go quicker, it makes it go differently


parent at neonatal unit

I learnt what it is like to be a man, not a boy Before I did boychild I did not licen much to other peple. I thought what other peple had to say wasn’t important..but now I listen a lot more to peple..I take in their comments more (sic).

Boy Child
Participant 7 yrs old

The Heart of the Matter is a beautiful, thoughtful, evocative representation of what it means to be a patient, a parent, a doctor or scientist involved in treating people with heart disease.”

The Heart of the Matter
Dr Laura Coates