Architect, artist and 2023 PhD graduate at Edinburgh College of Art, Dr Xuechang Leng has worked with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to create artwork for care homes that were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project is a collaboration between Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership and Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, where Xuecheng is on a placement as Artist in Residence. It aimed to create a permanent testament to staff resilience during the pandemic.
Xuechang ran workshops with staff and residents in five of Glasgow’s care homes, with Tommy Whitelaw, National Lead for Caring and Outreach at Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland. They gathered reflections about staff and residents’ own unique experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic through pledge cards.
Xuechang used these reflections to create the artwork, capturing the most common words shared by staff about what is important to them, such as ‘love’, ‘care’, and ‘family’, and represent them as soundwaves.
Xuechang said: “I am filled with profound gratitude and an overwhelming sense of privilege as I embark on the creation of these artworks.
“These art pieces hold a special significance, reflecting the nurturing care provided by the staff to the hearts and souls of the residents and their beloved family members at home.
“The colours infused within these artworks produce intricate meanings, drawing inspiration from the staff's unwavering dedication, boundless compassion, enduring love, and unyielding resilience, especially during the trying times of the pandemic.
“I must acknowledge the tremendous effort of Tommy Whitelaw, whose presence has graced each step of the artistic process. Tommy, a source of inspiration and motivation, has infused the creative endeavours.”