Portrait pays tribute to Fife healthcare heroes

Anew piece of art has been unveiled at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital paying tribute to NHS staff caring for the people of Fife during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the height of the first phase of the pandemic, local artist Alan Stephens offered to paint a portrait of healthcare workers to show his appreciation to those working tirelessly to care for patients in Fife.

The Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time and the necessity for social distancing meant that Alan would instead have to rely on photographs to create his work.

However, following Alan’s very generous offer, NHS Fife staff were invited to submit photos of themselves in their place of work which Alan then used to create the piece.

“Like many other people, I was watching the news and reading the newspapers and hearing about the heroic efforts of healthcare workers who were looking after those who had caught Covid-19,” Alan explained.

“Your instinct is to do whatever you can to show your support and gratitude in any small way you can for their work in caring for local people.

“My hope was that by painting a portrait of healthcare staff working on the frontline, it would go some way to acknowledge their efforts and perhaps leave a lasting legacy for years to come.

“In ordinary circumstances, I would have created the piece with the subjects there in front of me, and using photographs brought its own challenges.

“With the portrait now complete, I hope it goes some way to capturing the resilience and dedication shown by healthcare workers in caring for the people of Fife during this pandemic.”

One of those to submit a photo was senior immunisation practitioner Amanda Kowbel, who is featured within the finished portrait.

She said of the finished work: “I think it’s a great representation of how the pandemic has affected each and every discipline within NHS Fife and, despite the challenges, we have kept going.

“For me, I am really proud to be able to represent my own team, and each one of us proudly puts our uniform on each day and gives our very best in whatever way we are needed.”

The piece was recently handed over to the Fife Art Group and, thanks to a small grant from the Fife Health Charity, it has taken pride of place within the main thoroughfare leading to the hospital’s inpatient wards, in the newest wing of the hospital.

Carol Potter, NHS Fife chief executive, said: “The finished portrait is incredible and really captures the very challenging circumstances faced by our staff in caring for the kingdom’s residents over the last year or so.”

PICTURE OF HEALTH: The portrait featuring NHS Fife staff and, below, artist Alan Stephens at work on the painting, which now hangs at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.