New exhibition explores life after the pandemic

From the early days of the pandemic and lock-down, to long after the lifting of restrictions, clinical and non-clinical staff worked hard to ensure that people who needed care either at home or in the community were supported. Now, following the fifth anniversary of the first lockdown, Helen Snell will unveil her new exhibition, called And breathe, said the machine, which explores the reaction and feelings of people who worked for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust during the pandemic.   

Helen said: 

“I was appointed artist in residence in 2022 with a remit to work with NHS staff to explore issues of wellbeing and burn out. I’ve shadowed people working in a variety of roles, from cleaners to surgeons, pharmacists to scrub nurses, and I asked them to consider their work environments as metaphorical spaces and to explore their feelings about the use of the word wellbeing and how it’s used within the context of the NHS. 

“People have spoken candidly about their experiences of working in the NHS and have also shared personal stories about their life beyond work. At the height of the pandemic, healthcare workers were portrayed as angels and superheroes, but many were then described as villains, and they’ve told me how they struggled with this unfair characterisation.” 

Their stories and reflections have been used to create a series of animated drawings, soundscapes and an evocative permanent exhibition which will be installed at Torbay Hospital’s boardroom. Helen said: 

“I’m extremely grateful to those who trusted me to tell their stories. What they told me has been used to create a potent seam of metaphors and are a means to give presence to people who often feel unheard or unseen, and an opportunity to map the complex and ever-changing geography and culture across the organisation.”

The exhibition will be unveiled at a private opening on Wednesday 30 April when people will be able to experience the artwork, accompanied by a concert with music composed by Dr Tom Morris, a former dermatologist who worked at Torbay Hospital, and Sarah Owen, a community choir leader and song writer. The work will be performed by Torbay Hospital’s choir in the chapel. 

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive Joe Teape said: 

“We received charitable funding in 2022 to help our people to explore how the arts might support them in the aftermath of the pandemic. There is evidence that the arts can enhance people’s lives and we are grateful to Helen for the support, time and space she has given them to explore their reactions to this life-changing global event.”

Members of the public will be able to view the artwork in the boardroom on Saturday 03 – Sunday 04 May from 11am-4.30pm. 

Helen’s residency has been generously funded by NHS Charities Together.