A new exhibit of replica paintings celebrating the life and work of local artist John Wilson McCracken has gone on display at Peterlee Community Hospital thanks to a collaboration between the University Hospitals Tees and Hartlepool Art Gallery.
Thanks to the support of the Art Fund Reimagine grant, this exhibition features high-quality reproductions of McCracken’s original artworks, making his powerful and emotive pieces accessible to a wider audience.
Making a home in the north east
Born in Belfast, McCracken studied at the prestigious Slade School of Art, where he won a notable award for his artistic excellence. In 1959 he settled in Peterlee, teaching at West Hartlepool College of Art and became a curator at the Gray Art Gallery and Museum. He was instrumental in bringing major exhibitions to the town, including Lucian Freud’s first solo show outside London.
The town of Peterlee and its residents deeply influenced his work. His paintings, which are rich in colour, movement and texture, capture the industrial strength, spirit, and humanity of the North East. His portraits of local people are held in collections including the Arts Council of England and Hartlepool Art Gallery and his legacy continues to inspire the next generation of painters.
McCracken lived with mental health challenges and the paintings on display have been curated in collaboration with members of Andy’s Man Club, reflecting a shared commitment to mental health awareness and community wellbeing.
The exhibition was unveiled at Peterlee Community Hospital on at the end of November and offers patients, visitors, and staff a chance to engage with McCracken’s evocative depictions of local life and landscapes.
Angela Thomas, senior art and museum curator at Hartlepool Borough Council, said:
“It’s an honour to bring McCracken’s work back to Peterlee, the place he called home. His art reflects the strength and spirit of the North East, and we’re proud to be able share it with the community.”
The power and importance of art in hospitals
The arts in hospitals initiative is part of the University Hospital Tees Arts Council’s mission to enhance health and wellbeing through art, working with local partners to create restorative and inspiring spaces. The collaboration with Hartlepool Art Gallery reflects a shared vision to make art accessible beyond gallery walls and to celebrate the rich artistic heritage of the Tees Valley.
Jean MacLeod, Chair of the Arts Council, added: “We are very happy to be collaborating with the Hartlepool Art Gallery and being able to share art with our staff and all those who visit Peterlee Community Hospital – particularly with such strong links between the artist and the local community.
“Art can provide a solace and a distraction, which we recognise is beneficial for patients, alongside our clinical care. It’s important we provide a positive environment where that care is delivered and this exhibition helps in those aims.”
The paintings will be on display for patients and public to view during normal operating hours at Peterlee Community Hospital.