Wall mural!

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:50 pm

Finished wall mural for the outside wall of Newark Hospital Women's Unit, funded by the League of Friends of Newark Hospital. The tiles were made by pressing flowers and leaves into clay, cutting the square tiles and then painting with 3 layers of coloured underglazes, before a final clear glaze. The square tiles are about 6.5 inches each, the butterflies were around 6 inches across.

It took two of us two days to put up both the mural and the 3 panels and another day to grout and tidy up. The area of the main mural is just over 13ft wide, the panels are approx 6ft tall.

The large panels went up in another area of the hospital where they can be seen from a clear corridor running between buildings, and also from the small seated area opposite.

These are the first artworks to appear outside at the hospital and the reactions & comments from visitors and staff while putting them up were favourable!

They are a departure from my usual medieval honey glaze as this is the first time I've used colours, underglazes and a paintbrush. The project overall started with a meeting in September, the clay work began in October and the painting took approx 6 weeks for the mural, over 3 weeks for the panels. Each set of 6 tiles for the panels took 5 days to paint, with a 6 day firing cycle to complete.

Very happy to see it all installed, can't quite believe that it is over!

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:57 pm

View of the entrance and mural.

These are the panels I refered to, they were the start of the project, which I later had to revise when it became obvious that I had 'pushed the boundaries' too far! Made by pressing the rushes, roses and irises into the clay.

Tamsin Lewis · Post by **Tamsin Lewis** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:59 pm

That's absolutely gorgeous, Kate!
Tam
x
ps as a bear, I must ask why you have the tag of 'don't poke the bear'?

Lord High Everything Esle · Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:05 pm

Now that's what I call art.. none of this unmade bed stuff.

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:27 pm

Absolutely Brilliant, Kate - gorgeous

Cheryl
Shadowlight Designs

Vicky · Post by **Vicky** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:20 pm

Stunning. Absolutely gorgeous!

Scraggles · Post by **Scraggles** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:38 am

good to see real art still goes on and making a difference to people's lives, nice entrance to the complex

craig1459 · Post by **craig1459** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:24 am

Stunning! Must go and see next time I'm over there

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:56 am

Thanks very much for all your lovely comments!

Still a little punch drunk from the whole experience - I didn't know when I took the phone call back in August 2005 that I wouldn't finish till April 2006!

It was a very hard thing to do on one level and a hugely rewarding thing to do on another level - it made me face some of my creative demons!

I just wanted to make something that would cheer the place up - the whole hospital is old Victorian brick buildings, hardly any modern stuff around and no open space or greenery, just tightly fitted into the local streets. I also know that not every visit to a women's unit is a happy one, so I wanted to make something peaceful and non-challenging!

The idea of placing it so low on the wall is for the women who visit who have to bring their children with them, so the visiting children can touch the tiles and feel the impressions of the flowers.

Some close ups:

gregory23b · Post by **gregory23b** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:17 am

Wonderful stuff Kate, lovely indeed.

Well done bird.

david smith · Post by **david smith** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:44 am

Brilliant, Kate, just lovely.

I hope there's a proper "signature" tile...

Best wishes
David

Gerald ye Herald · Post by **Gerald ye Herald** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:04 am

Fantastic! what a grand advert for your skills Kate!!.

Love From G & E

Tuppence · Post by **Tuppence** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:08 pm

wow

now go have a rest!!

Shadowcat · Post by **Shadowcat** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:34 pm

Well done - such skill and such a thoughtful "muriel" as my aunt always used to say. Makes me wish I had to go there, if only to see your beautiful display.

S.

Cat · Post by **Cat** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:39 pm

Fabulous. Well done!

Braidwoman · Post by **Braidwoman** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:03 pm

Absolutely stunning, Kate!
They're going to give so much pleasure to so many people

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:33 pm

Thanks so much everyone

Thursday was the opening for the unit & although I was invited, Jack & me were already booked to work at a Primary school to do Tudors and I couldn't get to it! So you lot are my 'vitual opening'!

Have an e-glass of complimentary wine and a cake! xxxxxx

mally ley · Post by **mally ley** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:34 pm

Beautiful. Well done hun.

DeviantShrub · Post by **DeviantShrub** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:17 pm

That is really beautiful work. You must be so proud of yourself.

sally · Post by **sally** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:50 pm

Gorgeous work Kate! Well done you, and how lovely to think of the tactile pleasure those will give over the years

Just waht is needed in such a setting.

BraveAnimal · Post by **BraveAnimal** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 3:35 pm

That is exceptional work !

Oh my...

How wonderfull, I love the curvy edges on some of the tiles, it goes with the theme

LivingHistory.co.uk

Wall mural!

Wall mural!

3 Tile panels