Lines of Communication

Lines of Communication is an artist's research residency, public event and web publication examining communication structures through the interrelationship between visual arts practice and speech therapy science and applications.

For two years Caroline Wright has been undertaking research within the Speech Therapy and Language Departments of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge together with the hospitals of York and Bristol and St Margaret University College, Edinburgh.

She has observed treatment methods and strategies, interviewed patients and medical professionals and developed creative workshops for patients with communication difficulties.

All of which have contributed to an overall view of this most precious of facilities – the human voice.

The voice is a key factor in our psyche. Long-term loss of voice can result in a tangible sense of bereavement coupled with a loss of sense of identity.

The residency culminated in a mixture of art forms including performance, video, photography, installations and prints.

A touring exhibition of this work was held in October/November 2005.

Some of Caroline’s work is to be displayed at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The graphical data has led to a collaborative work with composer Andrew Lovett that focuses on the stages in the psychological journey from thought to word. This work will be performed in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral to coincide with the opening of the exhibition.

Caroline will present a paper at the North of England Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons’ Conference about her research into the voice, accompanied by an exhibition of visual work in The Old Hospitium, York.

The project is funded by Arts Council England and Artsadmin and supported by Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Norwich School of Art and Design and Willis Newson Arts and Health Consultancy.

Caroline Wright can be contacted at www.linesofcommunication.co.uk or contact Addenbrooke’s Arts at the address below.