PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Jennie Pedley’s ‘Unfolding Exercise’ to be exhibited at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
A new exhibition will be unveiled at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust next month with opening events at Harefield Hospital on Wednesday, 16 June and Royal Brompton Hospital on Thursday, 17 June 2010. Unfolding Exercise by artist and physiotherapist, Jennie Pedley, explores how exercise throughout history has been a way of defining ourselves and our culture.
By discussing dreams and childhood memories with patients on the pulmonary rehabilitation course at Royal Brompton Hospital, and the cardiac rehabilitation programme at Harefield Hospital, Pedley has encouraged participants to view exercise in a new light. To illustrate these discussions she has created silhouette portraits of patients, using shadow puppets to demonstrate their favourite kinds of exercise. The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust,
Pedley says “Initially inspired by the history of exercise, I wanted to explore its role in the lives of hospital staff and patients today. It was exciting to see how rehabilitation programmes can build confidence and inspire people to take up exercise.”
Commenting on the project, Dr Anita Simonds, consultant in thoracic medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital said: “The project emphasises that exercise can be exactly what one wants it to be – dancing, gardening, housework and simply maintaining agility.”
Pedley has also produced a Mini Shadow Theatre with silhouettes performing historical exercises. The theatres will be available for visitors to take away at the opening events.
The opening event at the ANZAC Centre, Harefield Hospital, Hill End Road, Middlesex, UBP 6JH is on Wednesday 16 June between 12.30 – 1.30pm. The opening event at the Coffee Shop, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP is on Thursday 17 June 5.30-8pm.
Ends
For further information, images or to arrange interviews please contact:
Shima Islam, Head of media relations
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 020 7351 8672, Mobile: 07866 536 345 or Email: s.islam@rbht.nhs.uk
Lita Blechman, Arts Coordinator, Tel: 020 7352 8121 x4087
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 0207 352 8121 #4087 or Email: l.blechman@rbht.nhs.uk
Notes to editors
rb&hArts is a charitable organisation dedicated to integrating all forms of the arts into Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust via an innovative programme designed to directly impact on the well-being of patients, their families, staff, and the diverse communities served. rb&hArts holds regular exhibitions, maintains a growing permanent collection of visual art, supports interior design, commissions site-specific work, residencies and workshops, and holds a programme of live music, bringing musicians to the wards each month. For more information, visit www.arts.rbht.nhs.uk
