Wood Green CDC’s Marshland Oasis

Wood Green CDC’s Marshland Oasis

The Wood Green CDC has revealed its creative side by unveiling its Marshland Oasis Mural and photograph galleries displayed throughout both floors of the centre located in The Mall, Wood Green.

The re-imagining and re-purposing of vacant retail spaces for local healthcare facilities effortlessly offers numerous benefits to the community although as the centre has no natural light, and the new Lower Ground Floor is below street level, creating an environment and atmosphere conclusive with positive patient experience was something that required some creative flair.

Art has been used within the Wood Green CDC to provide a unique environment for staff, patients, and visitors to the centre. Both the murals and photographs on display reflect the increasing awareness that the environment is crucial to the quality of our lives, including health and wellness, and that art plays an integral part. Phoebe Swan’s Marshland Oasis murals brought the concept of the natural world and wildlife into the environment which was a key aim of the design brief.

Nikki Crane, Arts in Health Consultant said: “What an excellent experience of integrating artwork into a clinical environment! Great teamwork across all aspects of the project from design to implementation and we are delighted to have collaborated with Phoebe Swan - an outstanding illustrator, artist, and muralist.”

The Marshland Oasis murals bring life to the lower ground floor waiting areas, along the corridor towards the MRI suite, and within the stairwell on entering the centre. The murals are only one element of introducing art to the Wood Green CDC, as there are a photographic displays around the centre showcasing local scenes taken by the CDC team, and Illustrations adorning the glass and entrance.

The installation of the final stairwell mural came at a poignant time, just days after the Creative Health Review report was launched; a collaboration between the National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing. The landmark report evidences how Creative Health can form an integral part of a health and social care system aimed at reducing health inequalities and building social capital. It demonstrates that creativity is not just a nice to have, but fundamental to individuals, communities, and systems.

Phoebe Swan, Illustrator and Muralist:
“It was a fantastic brief to work on and an absolute pleasure to work with everyone. I was keen to include small details to provide interest when looked at the images repeatedly over a long period of time. The impression of light reflecting on water to create an illusion of light, spaciousness and to evoke feelings of calmness was important. The application of a harmonious colour palette of mainly cool colours (blues and greens) with hints of warmth (browns, pinks, and oranges), compliments the existing neutral colour scheme.”

You can read more about the CDC and its referral processes here.