Sarah Wiseman is pleased to announce that Athol Whitmore's artproject 'Multitude of Stories' is now completed and installed at Oxford Children's Hospital! The art work is made up of thousands of donated vintage toy cars and will inspire people to share stories about their own childhoods and reminisce about their adventures with toy cars.
The project was sponsored by the designer outlet Bicester Village and supported by several local businesses. A colourful installation for young and old alike, Athol's installation has been warmly received by both staff and visitors at the hospital.
Ruth Charity, Arts co-ordinator for the Trust says: " We know patients, visitors and staff feel that artwork turns a clinical space into a more welcoming, positive and engaging places to visit and work, which is so important when people are dealing with their deepest fears."
The idea for the project was conceived during Athol's first solo exhibition at Sarah Wiseman Gallery in 2011 in response to the reaction to his art work. In the intervening years many cars have been donated through collecting drives at the gallery, hospital and through social media. The permanent location for the art work was chosen by John Radcliffe Hospital and it now resides in the Children's Radiology Department.
Athol Whitmore is a multi-disciplinary artist living in Oxfordshire. He uses found objects, drawing and sculpture to explore themes around childhood and nostalgia. He studied at Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art for his BA & MFA and has taken part in many exhibitions in the UK and abroad. Sarah Wiseman Gallery is currently showing Athol Whitmore's solo exhibition 'Eternal Child', until 28 May 2016.