You're my Wonderwall!

Hearts, brains and a teddy bear form part of a colourful new mural unveiled at the John Radcliffe Hospital on 5 October 2018, to celebrate its industrial history and medical progress.

Dr John Radcliffe himself will cast an eye forever more over the Oxford hospital's Industrial Block, as part of a display which also depicts some of the great moments of medical science at the hospital.

Artist Elizabeth (Zee) Grant, from Kingston Bagpuize, spent 220 hours over ten weeks creating the artwork, and all the paint was donated by the world renowned colourist, Oxford-based Annie Sloan. Oxford Hospitals Charity also supported the project.

The idea for a mural was born when old boilers were being removed from the John Radcliffe Hospital in 2016, as part of the Hospital Energy Project, and the Trust's Operational Estates staff wanted to protect the hospital's heritage by retaining each of the boiler's original commissioning plates (from 1973).

This prompted the idea for a mural which would show how the old boilers chugged along while the hospital expanded and medical science was catapulted into the modern age.

Zee, who volunteered her time and creativity for free, said: "During my initial research I was struck by the description of the boiler as 'the heart of the hospital' and used it as inspiration for the basis of my design.

"The wonderful men and women of Operational Estates have made this experience not only a satisfying challenge, but a true delight."

For a closer look please contact Jo Lennon to arrange a convenient time: jo.lennon@ouh.nhs.uk