Arts Afternoons Project Concludes at Queen Mary's Hospital
26 May 2023
Week 5 of the Arts Afternoons project saw us welcome back sculptor Alex Phillips who invited participants to create their own sculptural artworks with clay. Patients enjoyed pressing leaves gathered from the Roehampton University Park into the soft texture, using their hands and simple sculpting tools. One patient demonstrated astonishing capability from the outset in rolling and shaping her clay into a perfect 2D circle. When asked if she had done the task before, she excitedly told us it was exactly the same as making chapatis! This is just one example of many interactions with art throughout the project which stimulated patients to share memories and everyday rituals from their own lives with the group.
“I wasn’t expecting pressing leaves into clay, it blew me away! Really enjoyed it.” Participant Feedback
The following week saw patients using the skills they had learnt during their earlier sessions with painter, Dora Lam, to use acrylic paint to decorate their sculptures, ready to be hung up with string.
In the final three weeks of our Arts Afternoons project, we introduced the group to collective music making and song writing, led by visiting musician Rosie Bergonzi. Using the ongoing theme of nature, which was woven through all activities in the project, as a creative catalyst for writing two new songs. The groups had access to high quality percussion instruments to play whilst singing, but also took inspiration from their surroundings – especially the garden space which the room the sessions took place in, looks out onto. Rosie led group listening sessions, pausing to hear the sounds of nature (birdsong, wind, rain), but also acknowledging the ever-present man-made sounds of building work and transport creeping into the London soundscape (as you will see showcased in the second verse!).
Through the window I can see,
Mother Nature’s Cherry Tree,
Tulips grow amongst the green,
And squirrels jumping out at me!
Through the window I can see,
Passengers, rats and graffiti,
Dodgy rail tracks squeal and screech,
But I’ve got my headphones in!
Collective song, written as part of the sessions with Rosie Bergonzi
After nine weeks of fun yet focused sessions making some brilliant pieces of art, it was time to celebrate all that had been achieved. In week 10, we hosted a showcase event, displaying all of our newly-established artists’ work on the ward. All three artists also came back to the setting, as well as many staff from the hospital and St George’s Hospital Charity. Materials and simple activities were laid out as a reminder of what the sessions had involved. We were also treated to special performances from musician Rosie, who taught all attendees a new song, bringing the room together – a fitting demonstration of the joyous community feel of this project.
The Arts Afternoons initiative has evidenced the extraordinary impact engagement with the arts can have on contributing to patients’ rehabilitation journeys. Alongside the overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients, it has been brilliant to hear many remarks from the hospital’s therapists, who have noticed considerable improvements in patients’ dexterity or vocabulary as a result of taking part. Patients were observed to have used their hands in ways which they had not since the beginning of their rehabilitation or to have learnt new words because of talking a leap of faith and getting stuck into the Arts Afternoons.
Perhaps most touching of the project outcomes, was the (often newfound) confidence and pride which creating artwork with professional artists had instilled in participants. Many patients have made new friendships, created their own artwork outside of the session, even sourcing their own creative resources to do so. As one patient so eloquently put it:
"this has unlocked something inside me” Patient Feedback
A huge thank you to all the staff and artists who made this project possible, especially Project Manager, Beth Hopkins, and most of all, the patients, who welcomed us all into your space with such enthusiasm.
We hope to be back again soon.
