Tatty Devine
Kaleidoscopic Reflections 2016
Acrylic (various), paint
Children’s Imaging Department, 1st Floor, Royal London Hospital
Kaleidoscopic Reflections, by contemporary cult classic jewellery designers, Tatty Devine, takes as its point of departure x-ray images of bones—an apt motif for an imaging department.
Known for their sculpture-like jewellery made from laser-cut acrylic in articulated forms, Tatty Devine has brought their bold colours and quirky sense of play to the Children’s Imaging Department. The installation includes thousands of individual acrylic pieces to create several kaleidoscopic compositions—in the waiting areas, corridors and, critically, in the treatment rooms which can be frightening for children.
Tatty Devine has decked out the hospital’s large, state-of-the-art imaging equipment with a mesmerising explosion of colourful, reflective and glittering shapes that are primarily bones, but also include a few surprises too, which have transformed the experience of children undergoing procedures in this department.
Based in the East End since 1999, Tatty Devine are friends and business partners Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden, who studied art together at Chelsea School of Art. Through their trademark statement jewellery, they have created a cult following. They were both awarded MBEs in 2013 for their service to the fashion industry.
‘Working closely with Vital Arts and Tatty Devine at the beginning of the project meant that the artists understood exactly how all the spaces within the Imaging Department are used, and the specificity of our patient demographics. The variety of colour serves to distinguish separate areas, including a soothing pink area for breastfeeding mothers, and an Autumnal palette for the adolescent waiting room, which, again, is different from the softer hues in waiting area for our youngest patients.
This resulted in the perfect solution and we are very pleased—as are children and their parents, judging by their comments which include a lot of “wow” and “amazing”. One intrigued parent wanted to know more about the artists and their work in general. The large dinosaur is a big hit and can be used to engage the children in conversation—which is critical in the face of our high-tech—and somewhat frightening–equipment. This artwork has brought a vibrant feel to our department with bold colours, psychedelic design and interesting educational shapes for parents and children alike to experience.
Martin Shute, Lead Paediatric Radiographer at Barts Health NHS Trust
This project has been kindly funded by
Photography by Owen Richards
