London SE1 community website

Midwife’s love of the South Bank reflected in art installation

London SE1 website team

A St Thomas' midwife - who got married, went into labour and watched her children take their first steps in the Royal Festival Hall - has made her story into an interactive art installation.

Judith Lyons filming Atticus
Judith Lyons filming Atticus

Judith Lyons, 46, is sharing her life with Atticus, a 'digital mirror' that allows visitors to see the life of a person of another age, race or gender reflected back at them.

Judith, who has worked as a midwife at St Thomas' Hospital for 9 years, says: "I'm so passionate about the South Bank and Southbank Centre; I've lived here for 27 years and they've been a major part of mine and my family's life so I was eager to be involved with the project.

"I got married in Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in 2011 and all our guests said it was the best wedding they'd ever been to.

"Working at St Thomas' is not like working at any other hospital. It is part of an iconic setting and community, I feel very lucky to be able to work in such special surroundings."

Judith is of three SE1 'neighbours' who have come together to form Atticus as part of Southbank Centre's Festival of Neighbourhood. She is joined by a member of Southbank Centre staff and a representative of the SE1 United youth organisation.

"I knew I wanted someone from St Thomas' Hospital to participate as it's such a close and well loved neighbour," said Atticus's creator James Cowdery, head of digital engagement at Southbank Centre.

"I never imagined I'd find someone as involved with the centre and its community as Judith.

"Atticus combines innovative face scanning and 3D character creation techniques to create photorealistic avatars of our neighbours.

"It's been fascinating to explore how digital technology can tell the story of our neighbours and celebrate their contribution to Southbank Centre."

Atticus is on display until 8 September on level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall.

The SE1 website is supported by people like you
Related forum discussions
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.