Health Care Art
|
With my background in mental health and as an artist it is important to me to continue to find opportunities to collaborate in the art in health care settings. My art is held in the private collections and therapy rooms of psychotherapists and counsellors, and I undertake residences in this area.
Tavistock Open, 2024, Tavistock Centre,
Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, London The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health Trust that provides training and education.dThe Tavistock Centre, located in London, is a well-known institution with a long history, primarily in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and mental health. It is associated with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, an organization that specializes in psychological therapies and research. The history of the Tavistock Centre can be traced back to the early 20th century and is closely connected with the development of psychoanalysis and psychodynamic theory in Britain. 
Finding a pathway through? Photographic Print on Hahnemühle Bamboo, 2024 297 mm x 210 mm. Edition of 30 and 1 A/P. It was made from a painting created specifically for the camera. Shine Residency, 2010-15
Artist in residence for the treatment and therapy rooms at Shine Holistic and Shine on the Green, East London.
|
The use of art in healthcare settings has been an area of growing interest, with numerous studies indicating that it can have beneficial effects on patients, healthcare providers, and the overall healthcare environment, although more research is needed. Some area's it is thought to help are:-
Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Numerous studies show that exposure to art, whether through viewing or creating, can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels in patients. For example, a study published in Arts & Health (2016) found that patients who participated in art programmes in hospitals showed lower levels of anxiety and improved mood. Art likely provides a distraction from illness, engages the mind in a positive way, and encourages relaxation. Art therapy, particularly when combined with relaxation techniques, has been shown to activate brain areas associated with positive emotions and relaxation, such as the prefrontal cortex. Research published in Journal of Advanced Nursing (2018) demonstrated that patients in hospital settings who were exposed to art showed improved mood and decreased feelings of isolation. The study observed patients in hospital rooms where artwork was displayed or in spaces where interactive art was incorporated. Engaging with art can also enhance a sense of control and agency, which is particularly important for patients in long-term or terminal care. Art can help enhance patient outcomes, reduce the need for more expensive medical interventions, and promote faster recovery, ultimately contributing to cost savings. Pain Management and Perception: A study in The Lancet (2013) found that patients who viewed art exhibited lower levels of perceived pain. Another study in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (2016) indicated that art interventions could reduce pain perception and discomfort, particularly in palliative care settings. Engaging with art can serve as a cognitive distraction from pain. Art can also promote the release of endorphins and other chemicals in the brain that help with pain relief. Furthermore, visual art can lower the heart rate and blood pressure, contributing to a calming effect. Supporting Healthcare Workers: Healthcare providers, particularly nurses and doctors, have reported lower levels of burnout and stress when they work in environments with art. Research from The Journal of Nursing Administration (2020) suggested that having visual art in hospital spaces can improve staff morale and reduce the emotional toll of caregiving, which can in turn enhance patient care. |
ViewFInder, Hospital Arts Project, 2006
Lead Artist for 'Viewfinder' commissioned by Barking, Havering & Redbridge NHS Trust (2006). Patient and staff led, this was a year long collaborative landscape photography project with patients and staff of a Cancer Ward using research guidelines that recommend the use of large-scale landscape artworks to help reduce patient anxiety levels in health care settings.
Where possible staff and patients and their relatives accompanied me to determine the exact location of their chosen view. Landscapes chosen included Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, Hayle Beach, Cornwall, The Gower Peninsula and Norfolk Coast. The final large scale photographs are permanently installed in the unit in perspex frames along with simple captions stating the place of the view, why it was chosen and the name of the person selecting it.
Where possible staff and patients and their relatives accompanied me to determine the exact location of their chosen view. Landscapes chosen included Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, Hayle Beach, Cornwall, The Gower Peninsula and Norfolk Coast. The final large scale photographs are permanently installed in the unit in perspex frames along with simple captions stating the place of the view, why it was chosen and the name of the person selecting it.
|
Hayle Beach View, Cornwall
Gower Peninsula View, Wales
|