Telling the full histories of Sir Robert Clayton and Thomas Guy

Update

We have a new statues webpage. Read about the conservation work on statues of two of our benefactors, and our work to better understand and contextualise their histories.

Background

We own and manage one of the largest health-related arts and heritage collections in Europe. Just over half of the collection is currently on display across Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust hospitals and community sites, enhancing spaces for patients, staff and visitors. This supports our mission to build the foundations of a healthier society.

Some of the most visible artworks within our collection are statues, which sit in public spaces outside of hospitals within Southwark and Lambeth. A statue of Thomas Guy by Peter Scheemakers sits within a central courtyard outside Guy’s Hospital, while a statue of Sir Robert Clayton by Grinling Gibbons sits outside St Thomas’ Hospital. Both statues are listed objects. They gained listed status in the 1970’s when listing prioritised areas threatened by post-war development.

Explore our collection and how it is used.

Listed buildings and objects

Listing marks a building’s special architectural and historic interest, and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system, so that it can be protected for future generations.

Find out more about the listing system on the Historic England website.

Our approach

In a museum context, telling the full story is often referred to as ‘interpretation’. The Foundation is taking an approach that is led by experts, and shaped by best practice, historical research and public consultation and engagement. It has also been informed by the views of specialist organisations, such as Historic England and the Mayor’s Commission on Diversity in the Public Realm. It is also aligned with the ‘retain and explain’ approach in the revised government heritage guidance, and the advice from Historic England to ‘provide thoughtful, long-lasting and powerful reinterpretation’ to historical monuments.

The interpretation is being developed in collaboration with an Interpretation Working Group made up of representatives from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College London, Black Cultural Archives and the Foundation. The Group includes a range of professionals from the worlds of heritage, arts development, history, education, diversity and inclusion and student relations. They have responsibility for representing the voices of their organisations and communities to guide the interpretation work.

In approaching the interpretation in this way, the Foundation aims to bring together a range of diverse perspectives, including those who are typically under-represented in public discussions of this kind and recognising the particular experience of people from African and Caribbean communities.

Making the interpretation accessible

The interpretation will focus on facts, be easy to understand, and provide more historical context about these two men. It will help people to better understand the histories of both men including how they generated their wealth has left a legacy that has long lasting impacts on society today. It will be layered and accessible to ensure that we cater to different learning styles and make the information provided relevant to people’s lives.

To help inform the final materials, the emerging designs will be shared to gather views from a range of people who are in close contact with the statues, such as people connected with key local institutions and people living in the area.

Art, health equity and our mission

Our mission is to build the foundations of a healthier society that helps everyone stay healthier, for longer. To drive greater health equity, we aim to collaborate with all parts of society, from communities and grassroots organisations to hospitals, academics, charities and government.

We are committed to tackling the impact racism has on health inequalities and supporting greater diversity within the Foundation and our work.  This includes working to increase the diversity of voices celebrated in the public realm through our arts collection and commissions within healthcare settings.

We are committed to building a better understanding of how our past has a presence in the present as it plays an important role in helping us achieve our mission.  This includes acknowledging our heritage and doing more to understand the historical links of our endowment with the trade of enslaved people.

You can read more about the history of our collection, and more about the legacy stream of our Diversity Equity and inclusion work.