NHS Heroes Artwork

Portrait of Dr Lorna Ellwood (Derek Dick, 2020)

Pencil drawing on tissue paper with plywood base and oil pastel drips

This portrait captures the artist’s niece who prior to the pandemic, was preparing to take up a new role as a GP. Just as lockdown was announced across the world, Lorna was on a trip to see family in New Zealand unable to start her new job. Lorna decided that she would use her time in New Zealand effectively, and offered help to one of the hospitals, securing a job on the COVID 19 wards. Even though New Zealand had a relatively low number of cases compared to other countries, Lorna was still putting her own health at risk to save the lives of others.

Local artist Derek Dick produced multiple portraits of our NHS heroes for his exhibition ‘Undivinable’ at Warrington Museum, which opened just before lockdown. He recalls “having already done one NHS portrait and two others lined up, I decided to do one of Lorna as it was such a cool pose. Talking to her and other NHS staff, I realised how difficult the job is both physically and mentally. Wearing PPE for hours on end so their faces are rubbed raw, holding patient’s hands as they take their last breath and being terrified of catching or passing on the virus to loved ones at home. Each one had a very moving and individual story to tell, but all had the same sense of pride in what they were doing, some even finding it hard that they could not do more. It was great for me to be able to offer them free portraits and it was great also to have the opportunity to say thank you in some way.”