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A forest at the dentist

Animals, birds and forests populate the dental ward of the busy Royal London Hospital thanks to Stephen Smith’s installation to help to relax the patient.

Stephen Smith, installation for the Royal London Hospital – Whitechapel Dental Ward

Stephen Smith’s installation in the dental ward of the busy Royal London Hospital at Whitechapel features a mixture of large prints together with illustrations around the wards.

The aim of the work was to create a playful dialogue between the illustrated figures, animals, birds, forests and urban architecture which would appeal to both very young children together with teenagers in the same space.

The artwork is positioned across the ward particularly in locations where the illustrations could be viewed whilst in the dental chair to help to relax the patient some of whom arrive for emergency procedures. Also this was installed to create a warm and stimulating environment for staff whilst on duty.

Special care was taken to blend the colour scheme into the already existing colours of the dental furniture and other equipment in the ward to create a harmonious balance between the work displayed and hospital architecture.