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Hellingly Asylum

17 images Created 24 Jun 2010

Opened in 1903, the East Sussex County Asylum (later named Hellingly Hospital) was designed by notable asylum architect G.T. Hine.

It was closed in 1994, and has been falling into disrepair and decay ever since. As of 2011, demolition is now thoroughly underway, and over half of the asylum has already gone - new houses are already built on the land.

Many of the photographs in this set have been post-produced in Photoshop, to exaggerate the lighting in an attempt to capture the drama, and to an extent, the horror of the place.

Having been working on these pictures for days now, I am "deeply immersed in Hellingly" at the present time, and as I look closely at the details of the decay feel a deep sense of sadness that such a beautiful building has ended its days smashed up and unloved, prior to being bulldozed into the ground.

Although not the intention when I was taking the photographs of Hellingly, I now see these images as a visual tribute to a place that must hold within its walls some truly terrible memories, but also to a place that was once the pride of its architect - an amazing building.

More photos on my other blog: http://vivaciousvphotography.blogspot.com/2012/03/last-days-of-hellingly.html

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  • Wall paintings by Req1 in two separate rooms
    The Lady of the Bath
  • Painting of Georgette and Paul Charpentier by Req1
    Cracked Children
  • Patient information board for mental asylum ward
    Where Are We?
  • Three converging corridors containing baths
    Baths
  • Looking through a doorway into a room full of blue light
    Blue
  • Towel on a hanger in a dark basement
    I Will Follow You into the Dark
  • Pipes disappearing into the darkness
    Where Do They Go?
  • Abandoned clothes in a basement
    Dead Clothes
  • Cobwebby bath taps
    Bath Time
  • Looking upwards to a skylight
    Up Into the Blue
  • Looking out through a broken window
    Out Towards the Blue Sky
  • Dog painted by LukeDaDuke on a tiled mantlepiece
    Mantlepiece Bull Terrier
  • Part of a paperback novel and a tweed jacket
    What's the percentage in giving..res?
  • Req1 says of his inspiration for the piece: "After a portrait of Edoard Manet by Fantin Latour"
    Top Hat
  • Dilapidated hair salon in abandoned mental hospital
    Hair Salon
  • Remedial chairs in an abandoned asylum
    Nowhere To Go
  • Corridor with sun coming in through damaged roof
    Sunlit Corridor
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Viveca Koh Photography

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