90-year-old artist’s teddy bear masterpiece transforms Causeway Hospital MRI Unit

Brian Willis hands over his painting to Radiographer Lesley Thompson at Causeway Hospital’s MRI Unit.

A heartwarming artwork created by a 90-year-old North Coast artist is helping to bring comfort, colour and conversation to patients attending the MRI Unit at Causeway Hospital.

The newly installed painting, titled The MRI Noisemakers, has quickly become a talking point among both staff and patients thanks to its imaginative and playful design — replacing people with teddy bears and transforming the unfamiliar sounds of an MRI scanner into a whimsical animal orchestra.

Created and donated by local artist Brian Willis, the vivid piece features a scanner scene unlike any hospital artwork most patients would expect to see. A band of animals performs on stage while teddy bear families arrive for appointments, all designed to offer people a welcome distraction during what can often be an anxious experience.

Painting inspired by strange sounds of MRI scans

Brian Willis’ MRI Noisemakers painting hanging on the wall in the MRI Unit at Causeway Hospital.

Explaining the inspiration behind the artwork, Brian said the unusual noises associated with MRI scans sparked the idea for the piece.

“When having an MRI scan, the patient is subjected to an array of strange noises,” he explained.

“In my painting, I have envisaged that these unusual noises are made by this dispirit group of animals playing various instruments.

“There are lots of small, fun details throughout the painting, and my hope is that it gives people something else to focus on, even if just for a few moments, helping to take their mind off the scan and bring some extra warmth to the environment.”

The donation reflects a growing recognition across healthcare settings that surroundings can play an important role in helping patients feel calmer and more at ease, particularly in clinical environments that can feel intimidating.

MRI scans are often noisy and unfamiliar experiences, especially for children, older patients or those feeling anxious about medical appointments. Staff at the unit say the painting has already helped soften the atmosphere.

Staff say artwork has changed the atmosphere in the Unit

Brian Willis’ MRI Noisemakers painting

Radiographer Lesley Thompson said the response from both patients and colleagues has been overwhelmingly positive since the painting was installed.

“Since it was installed, so many people have commented on the painting, and it has been warmly received by patients and colleagues alike,” she said.

“We’re very grateful to Brian for his generosity and support — the artwork adds real character to the Unit and has helped to create a more welcoming environment for those attending the MRI service.”

The colourful display now provides patients with something uplifting to focus on while waiting for or attending appointments at the hospital’s MRI department.

Seven decades of painting and creativity

Brian, a retired BBC TV director and producer, said painting and sketching have remained a lifelong passion since his early teenage years.

Now aged 90, he reflected modestly on decades spent refining his artistic skills.

“That’s about 70 years of making mistakes and discovering how to rectify them,” he said.

“Schools, musical societies and pantomime groups on the North Coast will remember me from my time with them painting stage backcloths.

“Over the years I have learnt this skill and now use it just to entertain folk.”

Brian’s latest act of generosity is not his first contribution to local healthcare settings. Many years ago, he also donated a similar style painting to Antrim Area Hospital.

His newest artwork is now helping brighten another Northern Trust hospital environment — proving that even small acts of creativity can leave a lasting impression on patients, visitors and healthcare staff alike.