Horton General

Artist in Residence

These Are The Hands

These Are The Hands is a photographic project by Tony Davis, who was Artist in Residence at Oxford University Hospitals from June 2014 - June 2015.

Tony worked with staff and patients through all the Trust's hospitals to make a photographic study focusing on hands.

The project engaged with staff from all aspects of hospital life and reflected their myriad roles in supporting and helping patients throughout their care. It took its name from a poem by Michael Rosen created for the NHS which is reproduced below.

These Are The Hands by Michael Rosen

These are the hands

That touch us first

Feel your head

Find the pulse

And make your bed.

These are the hands

That tap your back

Test the skin

Hold your arm

Wheel the bin

Change the bulb

Fix the drip

Pour the jug

Replace your hip.

These are the hands

That fill the bath

Mop the floor

Flick the switch

Soothe the sore

Burn the swabs

Give us a jab

Throw out sharps

Design the lab.

And these are the hands

That stop the leaks

Empty the pan

Wipe the pipes

Carry the can

Clamp the veins

Make the cast

Log the dose

And touch us last