Celebrating 10 years of Bridget Riley's iconic hospital mural

Celebrating 10 years of Bridget Riley's iconic hospital mural

10 April 2024

The coloured stripes, painted directly onto the hospital walls, were inspired by a visit Riley made to Egypt in 1979. The distinctive colours used in ancient tomb paintings led the artist to develop her 'Egyptian palette', which has featured in many of her artworks since.

One of the highlights of our museum-accredited hospital art collection, the 56-metre mural is the third Riley created for St Mary's. In 1987 she was commissioned to create two other murals on the building's eighth and ninth floors.
 

"The mural has completely transformed the look and feel - from a clinical environment into an uplifting place for everyone."

Lucy Zacaria, Head of Arts

"Since its installation in 2014, the mural has completely transformed the look and feel of the 10th Floor - from a clinical environment into an uplifting place for everyone who passes through," said Lucy Zacaria, our Head of Arts.

"We couldn't be prouder to have Bridget Riley's wonderful artworks in our hospitals, where they've been loved by patients and staff alike."

Riley, who turns 93 later this month, is one of Britain's most respected abstract painters. She developed her distinctive style in the 1960s, moving from figurative and semi-impressionist paintings to abstract works creating the illusion of movement with shapes, pattern and colour.

She has previously explained that the murals aim to "lift the spirits" and remind the viewer of life outside the hospital.

Feeling inspired? You can view more images of Bridget Riley's stunning murals at St Mary's.

Images: © Bridget Riley 2023. All rights reserved.