An Uplifting Experience
LISA PETTIFER
A dream to create a Banksy-style mural to decorate the blank wall of a Hastings care home has come to life, thanks to a collaboration between the residents and a local art organisation.
W.Ave Arts [sic] in Bexhill answered a call for help from Hastings Court care home on The Ridge to create the mural. The design has now been unveiled. It features resident Barbara Wood, 91, being lifted out of her wheelchair by a Banksy-style balloon.
“The whole idea came about when I was walking in the garden here with Phil, one of the residents from our memory care floor,” said lifestyles assistant, Dan Peacock. “He spotted another resident sitting against the white wall in their wheelchair. He remarked that it looked like a Banksy.’
“Such is Hastings Courts’ resolve to accommodate all residents, that we immediately put out a plea on radio and social media. Luckily, W.Ave Arts came forward and we’re thrilled with the result!”
Hastings Court provides person-centred residential, nursing and memory care. Dan and the residents were visited by W.ave Arts founder, Carol Cook, to discuss their ideas. She recommended the talents of Ajax Piper, a muralist and artist based at their Bexhill Road studios.
“The original idea for the wall was a Banksy-style stencil but when we looked at the photos Dan and the team had taken of Barbara being lifted out of her chair, we agreed that more realism would be better,” said Carol. “Ajax’s murals have featured at international events including Glastonbury Festival and the Envision music festival in Costa Rica, so he was the perfect choice.”
Ajax worked on the 6ft x 3ft painting, its progress watched by fascinated visitors to the studios. Residents from Hastings Court were among them, including Barbara, and Bruno Johnson, who said:
“We thought initially it would just be a throw-away comment about Banksy, but Dan ran with it and he’s made it a reality,” he said. “I can’t quite believe that we’ve had the opportunity to be involved in creating an iconic piece of artwork but this is what life at Hastings Court is like – you never know what’s going to happen and what they will make it possible to do.”
Piper, a Hastings resident, is committed to making a tangible difference in the community. He volunteers his time and skills to causes close to his heart, including recent efforts with Care4Calais, where he helped deliver emergency aid to refugees.“I feel very privileged,” he said, “to be able to create work that depicts local people and enhances spaces within the community.”
Ajax unveiled the mural to residents and staff in the garden at Hastings Court to rapturous applause. Protected by layers of varnish, it has been installed on the wall. General Manager Kaye Giles said:
“We’ve done some amazing things here, but this has to be the best because it’s been driven by the residents. This is their home and they should be able to live the lives they want. We’re very grateful to Carol and Ajax for making this idea a reality.”
Dan Peacock agrees. “It’s an uplifting image, in more ways than one!”W.Ave Arts: wavearts.org
Hastings Court: oaklandcare.com/our-care-homes/hastings-court-east-sussex Ajax Piper Design and Murals: www.ajaxpiper.com
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