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Student artwork designed to thank the NHS draws in the crowds

23/04/2020

A University of Wolverhampton art student has flagged up support for NHS staff working on the frontline by creating a piece of artwork that is drawing in the crowds.

Davina Dickson, 18 from Penkridge in Staffordshire, is a first year student studying for a Fine Art degree in the Wolverhampton School of Art.  She was approached by local pub landlady, Alison Heath, to create some artwork on the wall of her pub, The Star, to thank frontline staff for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The finished mural, which took eight hours to complete, is a striking image of a masked doctor in the centre of a Union Jack flag, symbolising Britain’s battle with the virus.

Davina said: “I’ve always had a passion for art, ever since I was a child, and I’ve never stopped drawing.

“When I was approached to create something that would commemorate the work that our NHS staff are doing during this crisis, I was a bit nervous.  I’ve never painted something that big before but I’m really pleased with how it looks.

“People have been travelling from far and wide to view the piece and are having their pictures taken with it, it’s also been covered on the BBC and was on the front page of the Express & Star.

“The whole concept behind it was to thank NHS staff for the work they are doing and to elaborate on how I’m proud to be British and the masked doctor is central to emphasise how these people are protecting us.”

        

Marie Simmonds, University of Wolverhampton HR Support Team Administrator who also lives in Penkridge, said: “Davina has really uplifted the spirits in the community with the artwork. Everyone is talking about it and there have been the amazing comments on Facebook regarding her work.  My Facebook is now flooded with photos of people having their picture taken next to the artwork whilst they are out on their daily exercise.”

ENDS

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