Laura Sutherland

About Laura’s Research:

This project seeks to investigate the historical geographies of the art collection held by Scottish charity Art in Healthcare. This collection is unique as it has been curated with the purpose of being displayed in healthcare settings, with the collection itself containing around 1400 artworks. Through analysis of both the artworks themselves as well as the archival materials held by Art in Healthcare the research will uncover the journey of this work from acquisition to display to not only charter the historical geography of the artwork itself, but the stories of the people involved in this. This, coupled with site visits and extensive interviewing of those in Art in Healthcare, donors, artists, healthcare providers that display the work, and members of the surrounding communities, will allow for a greater understanding of the impact of art within healthcare and the ways art can aid in the promotion of wellbeing within these settings. Ultimately, through investigating the work of Art in Healthcare and the wider impact of art as an aid to wellbeing this project, at its core, seeks to uncover the hidden geographies and narratives within the world of art in health in Scotland.