‘Approaching Art Without Inhibitions’ : Our ‘Arts Afternoons’ project at Queen Mary’s Hospital
23 March 2023
Over the past few weeks, we have been running a pilot project of ‘Arts Afternoons’ on the Gwynne Holford Ward. The project spans 10 weeks and features three visiting artists; Dora Lam (painter), Alex Phillips (sculptor) and Rosie Bergonzi (musician), all chosen after consultation with participants.
The workshops have been a great success so far. Our first three week block featured Dora Lam who led painting sessions. The first week involved learning new painting and drawing techniques, such as continuous line drawing and using a scraper. As a catalyst for creative muses to work from, one group visited the nearby University of Roehampton’s park, which is home to chickens, ducks, a beautiful lake and many interesting plants and trees. Patients were inspired by the nature on the walk and photos were taken for any patients who couldn’t attend the trip. These photos were printed and placed on the workshop table for inspiration, along with some leaf samples collected.
The second week involved experimenting with colour, with patients using materials collected from the park to inspire their artwork. Trees, leaves and landscapes were painted, along with some patients drawing inspiration from our theme ‘nature’ from their own photos or back gardens.
Patients experimented with texture in the third week, using small branches of leaves and/or flowers as a paintbrush to create work. It was great to see the patients having fun with the art and approaching it without inhibitions as the focus was on imperfection and experimentation.
Over these three weeks, patients have been able to build upon any existing knowledge of painting or gain completely new skills, whilst being supported by the workshop leader and other members of staff. We have had some really positive feedback with many patients reporting an improved mood after the session.
"The patient-centred focus has been a massive success for the project so far.
"Patients are really engaging well and enjoying it a lot, even individuals who have never accessed art-based activities before being in hospital are taking part and finding it as a nice opportunity to switch off from the reality of being in hospital and getting the benefit of the relaxation/expression that the arts gives," said William Ninco Larkins, Gwynne Holford Ward Activity Co-ordinator.
Our first sculpting workshop, led by Alex Phillips, saw the introduction of kinetic sand as a precursor to clay, which will be used next week. Patients enjoyed the impermanence of creating works of art and then destroying them to build something new.
The texture of the sand meant that some patients were completely immersed in its movement, choosing to be part of the art and create waterfalls' of sand by pouring from above, which patients reported was therapeutic to watch and feel.
Our participants are excited to get underway with the next workshop involving clay and are thriving in the community that has been created through these workshops each week.
New friendships have formed and new skills have been discovered whilst immersed in this supportive and creative environment. It is an absolute joy to be part of this project and we are all looking forward to the final part of the project: music-making. Keep your eyes (& ears) peeled for updates!
