Bedford Hospital has unveiled a series of large, expressive paintings by stroke survivor Eugenie Minka at its Bluebell Gallery.
“After my stroke, drawing helped me start again. I use colour and texture to show struggle and healing, chaos in some areas, peace in others. They’re very personal,” said Minka.
Eugenie was a busy care worker and mother of two when she had her stroke in 2022. Anthea Ogunade, Occupational Therapy Team Leader at Bedford Hospital, cared for her in the stroke unit.
“Eugenie has worked incredibly hard throughout her recovery and I hope that her artwork will inspire others, showing them that there’s life after stroke,” said Ogunade.
The Bluebell Gallery provides a calm, contemplative space within the hospital, and the installation underscores the Trust’s commitment to art in supporting patient wellbeing.
The display offers patients and staff moments of inspiration amid clinical surroundings.
Minka’s paintings are vibrant and energetic, featuring saturated hues of deep-magenta, fiery-orange, electric-blue, and bright-yellow, evoking both energy and regeneration.
The project was curated with the hospital’s arts-and-health team and forms part of the Trust’s wider programme of arts-in-health initiatives across NHS estates.
The new artwork joins a series of positive changes taking place across Bedford Hospital, including the creation of a dedicated Elective Care Centre to expand planned treatment capacity and a new Same Day Emergency Care Unit designed to speed up access to urgent assessment and treatment.