Artwork of the Month: View from the Window with a Cactus
27 April 2026
Earlier this month, our Art Collection Officer Rachel, visited St George's Adult Critical Care Peer Support Group to host an Artwork of the Month activity. This group is a support group established in 2023, for former patients, families and friends who have experienced critical illness within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Rachel shortlisted three artworks on the theme 'Through the Window', inspired by views from the windows in ICU departments at St George's Hospital. The winner of the vote was View from the Window with a Cactus by Jack Duplock.
About the artwork:
This semi-abstract artwork left scope for different interpretations. When discussing the artworks in smaller teams, one group said ‘it’s made us curious about the story/meaning behind it’. Another group questioned if the shapes in the centre of the painting were birds or flowers. One member of the group said the painting made them think of ‘memories passing by the window’. The group enjoyed the ‘nice vibrant colours’ in the artwork and said it inspired ‘uplifting positive thoughts’.
This artwork can be found in the Maxillofacial Unit at St George's Hospital.
About the artist:
Jack Duplock is a British artist who was born in Bridport, in Dorset, and lives and works in London. He studied at the Yeovil College of Art between 1993 and 1994, the Southampton Institute of Higher Education between 1994 and 1997, and the Royal Academy School on Art between 1997 and 2000.
Duplock works in painting, drawing and sculpture, creating works inspired by folk art and rural British subcultures. His paintings are a mix of pop cultural styles with the poetry of narrative painting, creating what he terms as 'Psychedelic Romanticism'. He has been exhibiting internationally since 2004.
Learn more about Jack Duplock’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, funded 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.
The St George's Adult Critical Care Peer Support Group meets face-to-face through the year at St George's Hospital. The group provides a space for former patients, families and friends who have experienced critical illness to share their experiences with those who have been in a similar situation. Attendees of the group are welcome to join in, chat, or just listen. For more information, please contact icufollowup@stgeorges.nhs.uk.
