Teenage Cancer Trust at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre: Feature Walls

Willis Newson worked with Teenage Cancer Trust and architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) to write a brief and recruit an artist for a new £2.5 million specialist Young People’s Unit at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC).

The artist, Bristol illustrator Dave Bain, was recruited to create four feature wall artworks to contribute to making a supportive environment for patients and staff. 

Illustrator Dave Bain created a colourful wallwork for the social space in Teenage Cancer Trust unit

Four distinct designs were required to help to create an age appropriate interior for the young people using the unit (16-24 years old) and to ensure that the unit had a distinct feel which was also complementary to the rest of the interior in the BHOC.

Artworks are an excellent way to create a welcoming entrance to a unit and also to provide interest and distraction in key areas for patients and visitors.

Illustration of robots by Dave Bain

Dave created an illustration for the corridor which contained positive messages to encourage and uplift patients and visitors. Another feature wallwork depicted a busy robot scene with lots of details which would reward repeated viewing. 

He commented "This was a great opportunity to problem-solve across several different types of spaces with varying uses and heartwarming to receive feedback from the nursing staff as to the positive impact of the artwork."

Illustration by Dave Bain in new Teenage Cancer Trust unit

Following the recruitment, AHMM and Teenage Cancer Trust managed the artist and installation of the artworks.

Dave Bain illustration in new Teenage Cancer Trust unit

Dave Bain illustration for Teenage Cancer Trust

Images by Max McClure and Dave Bain