Endlessness
Arvin Sashikumar & Harriet Hardingham
Mixed-media
Our sculpture ‘The Endlessness’ was constructed to evoke emotions about some deep systemic challenges faced by the NHS.
This ward is endless to reflect the overcrowded ward environments and the cycle of patients awaiting care.
The empty bed is a paradox highlighting the struggle to transition patients into appropriate care settings due to delays, resource shortages, and inefficiencies.
This stark, repetitive design captures the overwhelming demand on our NHS whilst illustrating the lack of privacy that is present on shared ward settings with this sense of entrapment, for both patients and healthcare workers.
This cold, clinical environment may compel the audience to confront the fragility and complexity of the NHS’ systemic issues.
‘The Endlessness’ invites reflection not only on the inefficiencies of the NHS but also the humanity within the healthcare system that has been lost admits its vastness.
Arvin Sashikumar and Harriet Hardingham, Year One
Foundation of Medicine Conference 2024 First Prize-winner by peer vote
The thought-provoking and captivating nature of this piece stands out as an individualistic and profound artwork. The message behind the piece is topical and induces an understanding of the hardships faced within medicine with the constant demand on the resources and treatment of patients. The versatile nature of the artwork to cover a multitude of issues within the NHS, considering through the lack of resources, the lack of privacy, and the overwhelming feeling of repetitive monotony within wards for patients and workers is impressive and inspiring. The use of a mirror and the design of the piece is overt and commands attention. It is original and, whilst not traditional artistry, keeps you looking at the art to really consider the meaning of the piece, which is what art should do. The dark outside covering with the glaring white light further gives the piece a bleak atmosphere, which could further imply the occasionally harrowing nature of working in medicine. In conclusion, I find the piece is absorbing, the design is flawless and it portrays its ideas about the NHS and wards very effectively.
I really like how the use of mirrors shows that no matter how positive you try to be, or how hopeful your outlook is, the harsh reality is that you may find yourself in the same position over and over again. They also are a constant reminder of the unfortunate situation you are in. I find this message powerful because it reminds people how truly difficult it is to be a patient, especially with the constant unpredictability and uncertainty of the future.
The endless reflections also highlight how isolating the experience can feel. Even in a busy ward, you can feel alone, overwhelmed, or trapped in the same cycle. I feel like it can also be linked to the workers who may be feeling stressed, where every room they enter gives the same reminder of feeling helpless and trapped if there is nothing they can no longer do to help. Overall, the Endlessness a strong reminder of the challenges faced inside the healthcare system.
I really like how the mirrors create an infinite hallway of beds, it gives a sense of repetition and mimics the never-ending feeling patients can experience in hospitals. The monotone colour palette reflects the isolation that patients can feel being in an intense and tumultuous environment. It is simple yet manages to recreate the hospital atmosphere and patient experience really well.
This artwork really stood out to me due to the use of such a simple medium of a mirror to convey such a powerful message. The use of an infinite mirror really highlights the dire situation of overcrowdedness that the NHS faces but also the nudity that patients can feel while in a hospital. The model reflects the lack of privacy and warmth that patients feel through the image of an endless corridor of the same beds, same curtains, same machinery. The emptiness and repetitive nature of the model also shows how patients can all be in the similar situation of sickness yet feel incredibly lonely in care. Overall, the simple artwork conveys a strong message of not only the raw environment of a hospital but also the emotions that people can feel being treated in such an environment