Year 8 students from XP Gateshead have collaborated with the Newcastle Hospitals Charity arts programme to create an immersive public art installation exploring the question: What does it mean to be human?
Now displayed at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, the installation combines artwork, written reflections and anatomical imagery created by students as part of their ‘Being Human’ Learning Expedition. The work aims to encourage conversations around identity, compassion and organ donation through a thoughtful and interactive experience.
Throughout the expedition, students explored the idea of what it means to be human through a range of subjects, including Science, History, Religion and the Arts. Their learning encouraged them to reflect on themes including resilience, empathy, creativity and collaboration, while also considering the role compassion plays in healthcare and organ donation.
The final installation features large-scale visual artwork alongside written speech extracts produced by students, inviting visitors to reflect on humanity through the voices and perspectives of young people. Anatomical illustrations and layered artistic responses encourage viewers to consider both the complexity of the human body and the emotional experiences that connect us all.
One student wrote: “A human is more than organs, skin and blood. A human is a person with feelings and emotion.”
Another reflected: “Being human is about using our creativity to help others in need. If we work together we can make a difference.”
The charity arts programme team were integral in the development of this project with representatives Katie Newell and Holly Richardson, coming into school to launch the brief with the students. We are incredibly grateful, as this gave the students an authentic experience of working as commissioned artists alongside a client; an invaluable experience. To further the collaboration, Dominic Manning, specialist nurse organ donation with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) also visited the students in class to discuss organ donation and transplantation, not only from a clinical perspective but exploring the moral and ethical aspects further emphasising the importance of the students’ work.
Katie Newell, head of arts programmes of Newcastle Hospitals Charity said:
“Through the arts programme, we are delighted to have worked with XP Gateshead, to create an artwork for display in Newcastle Hospitals that promotes wider conversation around organ donation. Year 8 students met with staff in Great North Children’s Hospital and NHSBT to understand more about the work they do and have made a creative, large-scale mural, in the hope of normalising family discussions about organ donation and transplantation. It’s great to be able to share their reflections and drawings with patients, staff and visitors to the New Vic Wing, RVI.“
Dominic Manning, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “It was a real pleasure to work with the students from XP Gateshead and the Newcastle Hospitals Charity to explore the importance of organ donation and explain the work that we do at NHS Blood and Transplant. The artwork that the children has created is a testament to the conversations they have had and the reflections they have drawn on. It will serve to encourage people to take a moment to consider their thoughts about organ donation – and when they have, we encourage them to take two minutes to confirm their donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”
Emmy Tatters, the Teacher who led the Learning Expedition said:
“This project gave students the opportunity to explore a deeply important and complex question through authentic and meaningful work. Seeing their ideas and artwork displayed publicly within the RVI has helped students understand the real impact their work can have beyond the classroom. We are incredibly grateful to Newcastle Hospitals Charity and the experts who supported students throughout the process.”
The installation is currently on display next to the pharmacy at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.