Artwork of the Month: Gathering Leaves by Anita Klein
27 July 2026
This month, the Artwork of the Month was chosen by staff from the Haematology-Oncology Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Team and the Respiratory Physiotherapy Team. These teams support a wide range of patients, including those with respiratory conditions, cancer, infectious diseases and those recovering from surgery, through specialist assessment, airway clearance techniques and rehabilitation. They help patients maintain strength, mobility and independence at all stages of their illness, from diagnosis and treatment through to recovery, rehabilitation and end-of-life care, improving quality of life and supporting them to achieve what matters most to them.
In preparation for the session with our Art Collection Officer, Rachel, the team split into four groups. They each visited items from the collection on display in Atkinson Morley Wing and chose their favourites. In the session, the teams gave a short presentation on their chosen artworks to the other teams to try and convince them that their artwork should be chosen as the Artwork of the Month. After a round of voting, the winner was 'Gathering Leaves' by Anita Klein.
About the artwork:
This figurative artwork shows a figure in a green dress bending over to scoop up an armful of autumn leaves. Gathering Leaves by Anita Klein is made using a technique called dry point etching. This technique involves using a pointed tool to scratch a design into a soft metal, like copper or zinc, or plastic plate before printing.
The team said that they enjoyed the themes of connecting with nature in this artwork. The figure isn't wearing gloves or using tools, instead they are scooping up the leaves with their bare hands. They also liked the autumnal colours of the leaves. On a different note, The figure’s pose prompted conversations about fall risks as the team drew parallels between the artwork and their work in the hospital. An artwork can hold so many meanings depending on the viewer.
This artwork can be found in Atkinson Morley Wing at St George's Hospital.
About the artist:
Anita Klein (1960-) is an Australian artist who creates artworks using a variety of techniques, including: paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, and stained glass. Born in Sydney, Australia, Klein studied at both Chelsea School of Art and Slade School of Art. She has also served as an Elected Associate, Elected Fellow and President of the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers. She has held many solo exhibitions, and been part of group exhibitions, in the UK, Sweden, Australia, Greece and the USA.
Klein’s work explores themes of domesticity, motherhood, familial and romantic love. With artworks depicting everyday moments such as dinners with friends, cooking with her family, and listening to her children practising musical instruments, Klein invites the audience of her work to share in her joy of ordinary life.
Learn more about Anita Klein's work.
Arts St George’s (part of St George’s Hospital Charity) is the arts programme for St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. To find out more, follow us on socials @artsstgeorges, or follow Arts St George's - St George's Hospital Charity
'Our Hospital: conserving, curating and responding to St George’s Art and Heritage Collection’ is a three-year project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and made possible by money raised by National Lottery players. The project is focusing on conserving, cataloguing, reinterpreting and digitising St George’s Hospital’s unique Art and Heritage Collection so it can be enjoyed by many more people.
