A painting by New York-based artist, Aliza Nisenbaum, which depicts the frontline staff who worked tirelessly during the Covid-19 Pandemic has been unveiled today at Alder Hey. The piece ‘Team Time Storytelling’ has been loaned to the Hospital by the Tate ahead of the NHS75 birthday celebrations on the 5th July.
Inspired by the dedication of Liverpool’s key workers, artist Aliza Nisenbaum created a series of paintings portraying NHS staff and their commitment during the pandemic. The painting, Team Time Storytelling, shows a group of staff members including a student nurse who had plans to travel but instead returned to the front lines during the pandemic and a doctor who had concerns for the distress and trauma experienced by medical professionals so set up a story telling support group for his team. Aliza got to know the selected NHS staff remotely, conversing via video link in order to understand and include elements of their personality and interests.
Jo Potier, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Director of Organisational Development, said; “I’ve worked for the NHS for 23 years now and I’m really touched and honoured to be part of this portrait particularly alongside the Emergency Department team and for a project that reflects things we can do to look after our staff.”
Helen Legg, Director, Tate Liverpool, said: “Tate is proud to be able to unveil Aliza Nisenbaum’s painting at Alder Hey – a rare example of an artwork from the national collection on view to the public in a non-arts setting. Aliza’s image of NHS frontline workers during the pandemic moved everyone who saw it. Seeing it on display again is an acknowledgement of the value of our NHS as it celebrates its 75th anniversary and is a tribute to those who care.”
Along with staff involved in the project, their families and Tate Liverpool guests, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Mary Rasmussen was also in attendance. Following the unveiling she said: “I am delighted to have attended this wonderful event and thank all our NHS workers for their efforts during the pandemic.”
Alder Hey and Tate Liverpool have a long-standing relationship spanning twenty years with a highly successful and productive partnership, working on many collaborative programmes, all beneficial to our children and young people. Alder Hey runs an Arts for Health Programme, funded entirely through charitable sources. This programme aims to enhance the of children and young people in Hospital and includes animation projects, music and dance therapy, creative writing, comedy workshops and storytelling. The hospital has collaborated with Tate Liverpool many times on programmes to benefit children and young people in their care. It is hoped that the presence of Nisenbaum’s evocative group portrait will act as a catalyst and inspiration to staff and patients in their Arts Programme.
Louise Shepherd CBE, the Chief Executive of the Alder Hey Trust said: “There is much to be proud of as we approach the 75th birthday of the NHS and this artwork is a valuable reminder of the outstanding dedication of our staff during the recent pandemic. The unveiling of this stunning painting at Alder Hey is a huge honour and is testament to the fantastic support Tate Liverpool has given to our Arts for Health Programme for twenty years. We have delivered some incredible collaborative programmes during that time and I look forward to us together bringing further benefits to our children and young people in the future.”
Both Tate and Aliza felt it was appropriate that the portrait be hung in the hospital as commendation to the inspiring work of Alder Hey staff in time for the 75th birthday of the NHS.