Two Paintings Accepted into Permanent Collection at Addenbrooke’s

During the recent pandemic and lock-downs, the NHS was (and still is) constantly in my thoughts. As a painter, this prompted me to produce a new body of work, the Lock-Down Series, reflecting my own feelings and experience of that time.
You can see it here.

British artist Hilary Barry handing over some of her work to Rosie O’Donovan, Addenbrooke's Hospital Arts Programme Manager
Handing over “Grief, Ruins and Miracles” to Rosie O’Donovan, Addenbrooke’s Arts Programme Manager

Recently, I was thrilled that Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge accepted two pieces from the series into their permanent art collection. I have a strong personal connection with Addenbrooke’s, so it’s good to have an opportunity to give something back to the doctors and nurses who’ve taken such good care of my family in the past, often under such difficult and demanding circumstances.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "Grief, Ruins and Miracles". Size 140 x 87 cm. Part of the "Lock-Down" series, showing five doctors and nurses wearing Covid-19 personal protective equipment, gathered over the unseen body of a patient undergoing treatment.
Grief, Ruins and Miracles (140 x 87 cm)

At the beginning of the pandemic, no-one anywhere was sure what was happening. PPE turned into masks of invisibility. This painting explores the strangeness and confusion, and the courage, which prevailed at that time.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "When Will It End?". Size 90 x 70 cm. Part of the "Lock-down" series, showing laboratory scientists working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to produce an anti-Covid vaccine.
When Will It End? (90 x 70 cm)

Research into and production of anti-Covid vaccines relied on intense working methods and huge commitment. I imagined the relentless processes and practices required in that environment, to achieve the desired result.