NHS Darkroom Project with Johannah Churchill: Come As You Really Are
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
Saturday 17 May - Saturday 5 July 2025
Newcastle Hospitals Charity and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art have teamed up with renowned photographer Johannah Churchill for 2025’s edition of Newcastle Hospitals Charity’s NHS Darkroom.
NHS Darkroom was launched in 2023 as part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity’s Arts Programme which aims to enhance the wellbeing and recovery of patients and staff across Newcastle Hospitals. The programme supports a range of projects across all mediums, helping to engage patients and communities in the work of the hospitals and support the mental health and wellbeing of NHS staff.
NHS Darkroom is an ongoing project with Sunderland-based photographer, lecturer and former nurse Johannah Churchill, supported by University of Sunderland, where staff from Newcastle Hospitals are invited to develop their skills and experience in photography.
For this iteration, inspired by the exhibition Come As You Really Are, Newcastle Hospitals staff have been invited to share their own hobbies, crafts or collections which bring them joy, keep them well and provide a creative outlet. Staff sat for professional portraits taken by Johannah and took part in a photography workshop to develop their own photographs of their hobbies, crafts and collections which are being displayed across Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space and Newcastle Hospital sites.
Photos: Colin Davison