Bamidele Awoyemi, Farouk Agoro and Livia Wang to undertake first art commission for Tessa Jowell Health Centre
The first art commission for the Tessa Jowell Health Centre (TJHC) in East Dulwich has been awarded to Bamidele Awoyemi, Farouk Agoro and Livia Wang, a collective of artists from South London. They will work with the local community to develop a large-scale artwork for the centre’s reception area, which will be revealed in August 2021.
The Collective’s winning design entitled ‘The Health Centre’s Quilt’ was chosen by a diverse panel of judges including artists, NHS and Dulwich Picture Gallery representatives. The 2D artwork will employ fabric patterns and techniques to celebrate different cultures and identities. Taking inspiration from Dulwich Picture Gallery’s collection and history, as well as the principles that drive its community-led activities, the Collective will consider the role of health centres and the rich cultural diversity of TJHC’s visitors.
The Collective will work with the Centre’s service users, staff and the local community, and use creative workshops to inform the final design, which will adorn the glass balustrade at the heart of the Centre’s reception area. Weaving together stories from across the community, the piece will be a celebration of connectivity and will promote the vital role of art in health and wellbeing.
The panel of seven judges included Dulwich Picture Gallery’s director, Jennifer Scott; Katy Wickremesinghe, Trustee at Dulwich Picture Gallery; local artist, Sinta Tantra; local community representative and artist, Sara Haq; Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Young Volunteer, Evan; Gerry Owen, Estates Programme Director at NHS South London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG); and Dr. Jonathan Love, Clinical Lead GP at TJHC.
“We selected Bamidele Awoyemi, Farouk Agoro and Livia Wang from an outstanding shortlist of talented artists who responded to the brief in wonderful ways. I particularly enjoyed how each artist looked at innovative approaches to engage staff and patients. This new public artwork will function as an inspiring platform for mental health and wellbeing whilst weaving together the individual stories of local residents and exploring the very heart of what makes Dulwich so diverse.”
- Sinta Tantra, artist and member of the judging panel
This is the first of four commissions that will run over the next two years, part of a pioneering new partnership between Dulwich Picture Gallery and NHS South East London CCG.
Images: Bamidele Awoyemi, Farouk Agoro and Livia Wang Collective; mock up of TJHC artwork