Bob and Roberta Smith
The National Animals of the East End, 2012
Acrylic on wood panel
7th Floor, Royal London Hospital
Can you match the animal to the country?
Bob and Roberta Smith’s artwork plays with political sloganeering, sign-painting and folk art. For the Children’s Hospital, the artist has created a series of 19 paintings of assorted national animals, with a painted key to identify each animal’s related country. The animals were nominated by the hospital community and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Tower Hamlets. These colourful artworks are installed as a trail throughout the Children’s Hospital for patients and staff to discover. Some are expected – whilst others are more surprising. Can you match the animal to the country?
About the Artist
Bob and Roberta Smith, (born UK, 1963) is a British contemporary artist, activist, writer, broadcaster, musician, art education advocate and keynote speaker. He is a Royal Academician, and in 2017 was awarded an OBE for services to Art. Bob is a patron of the Big Draw and the National Society for Education in Art and Design. He sat on the Tate Modern Council and was recently a trustee of Tate. He is also a Trustee of Art UK and a contributor to the Guardian. He has extensive experience of teaching and is Associate Professor at the Department of Art and Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University. He has curated numerous public art projects, including the 2013 Art Party to promote contemporary art and advocacy. His works have been exhibited internationally, and are in collections in Europe and the United States. He also hosts a radio show called Make Your Own Damn Music on Resonance FM.
Other Commissions by Bob and Roberta Smith
The Department of Ornithology, 2009
Series of 40 works, sign writer’s enamel on wood, bird spotting guide books and shelf, 2014
Royal London Hospital, Wellness Centre
2022 relocated to Whipps Cross Hospital, Outpatients Link Corridor
Edition by Bob and Roberta Smith Available
Bird Search, 2009
As part of his commission The Department of Ornithology, 2009 for the Royal London Hospital, Bob and Roberta Smith kindly created a limited edition print. All proceeds from the sale of this print will support the Vital Arts programme.
