Crucible brings the history and legacy of the Royal Sussex County Hospital to life based on stories and records of its buildings and communities since 1828. The Nimbus Group have developed the project in collaboration with artist Daniel Locke and
Strike-A-Light Arts and Heritage. This mural is a commissioned artwork by Daniel Locke exploring the hospital’s history resulting from the Crucible project.
Artist Daniel Locke held workshops and talked with hospital staff and past patients, gathering their memories, which went on to be included in this new artwork. Crucible covers the history of Royal Sussex County Hospital from people’s perspectives, from its origins as a sea-bathing hospital to its life-saving research work in the 21st century.
Strike A Light Arts and Heritage captured people’s stories and recollections of how hospitals in Brighton and Hove have impacted their lives. From stories of the Great Storm in 1987 and the Brighton Bombing in 1984 to advances in medical techniques, such as improvements in treatment of HIV, cancer, and eye surgery. People’s memories recall how Royal Sussex County Hospital has affected their lives, families, and communities. A place of change, experience, healing, and development. Oral histories can be accessed on the Crucible kiosk in the main hospital waiting area via smartphone and on the crucible website.
Crucible has drawn on findings from a National Lottery Heritage Fund project, the Royal Sussex
County Hospital A People’s History from the 19th Century to the 21st Century, which identified and interpreted the social heritage of the hospital leading up to the new development.
Crucible has been led by The Nimbus Group, with project management support from Willis Newson. It has been commissioned by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust with additional support from Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund. Crucible is part of CONNECT, the public art programme for the Louisa Martindale Building, which aims to make the hospital environment more welcoming, interesting and enjoyable for patients, staff and visitors. The CONNECT artworks all celebrate Brighton, Sussex and the unique character and cultures of the communities who live here.
To find out more visit the Crucible website.
