Nursing in the Tees Valley artwork

This framed canvas is approx. 8ft wide by 6ft tall and is situated in University Hospital of North Tees in the lift area of the third floor, tower block, adjacent to the respiratory wards.

The artwork features North Tees Hospital and a current member of staff (Gerwin Premarion, advanced care practitioner) and a retired member of staff (Sandra Deans) amongst many other iconic images from the region.

About the artwork

Lucas created this artwork as a visual testament for ‘Nursing in the Tees Valley’.  A montage of images, each one a vivid story of care and resilience, displayed at Kirkleatham Museum in 2024.

The artwork is a narrative of dedication and an unspoken bond between caregiver and patient and a reminder that the beating heart of Tees Valley is formed from an array of dedicated local and international professionals.  He highlights the daily sacrifice they make to help strangers is remarkable,and to help create this artwork, Lucas listened to a group of Tees Valley healthcare professionals and the histories surrounding their careers.”

He was intrigued by our dedicated international workers that sacrificed trips home to see their loved ones for a long time and the bonds that were formed between staff and patients, including babies, when Mum was recovering.

The impact patients can have on healthcare professionals can be as profound as the opposite way around.  Discussion also took place on the ever-changing environment of staffing, technology, equipment and protocols. Everyone agreed on this…

Amongst all of the changes and outside political challenges, face-to-face human care continues to remain a central focus for our healthcare professionals.

Lucas hopes that this painting serves as a reminder that the public appreciate the work and sacrifice from all of NHS Healthcare Providers.

About the artist

Born in Darlington UK 1988, Lucas had a very active mind and body throughout childhood which led to a continuous exertion in many sports and a short attention span in school. Chosen subjects during his time in School included Art and Photography, both of which were attended frequently due to an interest but ended with zero qualifications from any subject in school. After leaving school he worked as a chef and did this for a couple of years until he was accepted into The British Army (The Parachute Regiment). During his six years in The Paras he quickly learned to listen and focus his hyper mind and had an interesting and rewarding time, serving on operations and discovering parts of the world and their cultures. 

Lucas left the Army to become a close to home Father, but with many thanks to the Army he left with a lot more than he went in with. Qualifications and overseas operational experience helped him to train as an advanced medical technician. This enabled Lucas to work as a medic within the Ambulance Service for a few years which was another eye- opener from a complete different perspective for him but after a few years he required a new less stressful venture.

His young adult experiences overseas and the Ambulance Service enlightened him to how serious and unbalanced the world is. He later realised his artwork enabled a gateway to promote positive change and influence debate or conversation. His work is now inspired from our popular culture, counter culture, fashion, social media, all types of art and mediums, whilst probably showing parts of his personality. His work is described as bright, vibrant and amusing and he is rewarded if it distracts from any negativity in your life.

Lucas is currently a resident Artist of Darlington’s historic ‘Quaker Meeting House’. Most of my work goes to private broker channels with in the USA. Some of his work has been displayed in newspapers, magazines, public spaces, TV and events.”