Art as therapy
The Paintings in Hospitals charity takes art to places that other exhibitions don’t reach. Jenny White reports on a recent project in a Cardiff care home...
RESIDENTS at Penylan House Nursing Home in Cardiff have been getting up close to artworks by the likes of Kyffin Williams, Anita Klein and Josef Herman. in recent weeks, they have been taking part in a series of sessions in which they discussed their responses to the visiting artworks and made their own art inspired by them.
Their creative responses, and the work that sparked them, are currently on show at the care home, celebrating the culmination of the project which was initiated by the charity Paintings in Hospitals and led by Vale of Glamorgan-based artist Nick Davies, assisted by three other arts practitioners – textile artist Claire Cawte, Nichola Goff, a multidisciplinary printmaker, facilitator and arts, health and wellbeing practitioner, and Sue Hunt, a visual artist with extensive experience in teaching and healthcare.
“There were a number of residents who took part in every session, both morning and afternoon, which was incredibly positive,” says Nick. “There was such resilience present with the participating residents, which was humbling to experience.”
The project exemplifies the mission of Paintings in Hospitals, which was set up to use art to improve wellbeing. it began in 1959 after Sheridan Russell, Britain’s first male almoner (a social services worker in hospitals), fixed an artwork to the wall to see how people would react.
“He got a favourable response, so he went on to get some more artwork, asked some of the staff to pick ones that they liked and put them up as well,” says Daphne Power, marketing and communications manager for Paintings in Hospitals. “He wanted to see how both the patients and staff reacted and when he again saw a positive response, he decided to found the charity Paintings in Hospitals.”
The charity’s art collection quickly grew – along the way it has acquired pieces by famous names such as Bridget Riley, Antony Gormley, Andy Warhol, Yinka Shonibare and Jake and Dinos Chapman, to name just a few. All have been picked specifically for the purpose of enhancing health and wellbeing.
“Art plays a significant role in recovery and release from physical and mental pain and illnesses and we work in partnership with hospitals, other healthcare providers and community spaces to make this happen,” says Daphne.
“Over the last 64 years, our work has gone from just hanging paintings on the wall to being far more engaging in terms of the projects and activities that we do with people, such as Penylan House Nursing Home.
“Someone like John, a 99-year-old resident who has been doing the morning and afternoon sessions and really thriving from it, is a prime example of what we’re all about.”
The work is also about reaching diverse audiences – from second-language English speakers to neurodiverse audiences and people who are socially isolated.
“it’s about talking about art, but not in an overly pretentious way,” says Daphne. “it’s about how you respond to art, why it’s important and how it makes you feel – and about how that impacts your mental health, which then also impacts upon your physical health.
“Sessions like those at Penylan House are about passion for life. They’re invigorating and they give people a reason to get up in the morning and not just go to sleep in the afternoon.
“it’s also about the connection with other people – the fact that it sparks conversations
It’s about how you respond to art, why it’s important and how it makes you feel – and about how that impacts your mental health, which then also impacts upon your physical health
between residents, and also staff, that might not otherwise have happened.
“And if you’re more vulnerable for one reason or another, be that due to your personal circumstances or physical ailments, then just on the most basic level, it’s a distraction from physical pain, concerns and worries.”
Residents at the home responded enthusiastically to the sessions, which saw them working in print, watercolours, pastels and more. John, the 99-year-old resident, said of his creations: “i’m proud of myself. it’s completely new to me and i’ve tried to have a go.”
Another resident, Ellen, discussed her interpretation of Kyffin Williams’ School House, Cwm Pennant and her felt composition of a cottage: “it reminds me of my family and of the past,” she said. Blaenau Ffestiniog by Ray Howard Jones also brought back family memories.
“it reminds me of down the colliery in Cwm Ebbw Vale,” she said. “My dad was a hardworking man going down the pits every day.”
Flor Nessbert, Penylan House Nursing Home activities coordinator, noticed that the workshops gave the participants a boost, especially by prompting conversations about memories.
“i’ve noticed the positive changes in our residents when they have attended the workshops,” she says. “it has given them a sense of achievement and belonging. it opened the door to fond memories, but has also given them the time to discuss and socialise.”
The participating artists were equally pleased by the residents’ responses to the sessions.
“At the end of the afternoon session we had a group discussion about the workshops and the processes they had learnt,” Nichola Goff recalls. “I asked, ‘What have you enjoyed most about the workshop today?’
“There was an enthusiastic agreement that it was lovely to be creative and see everyone enjoying themselves. The group also talked about how nice it was to get together and be creative. It was an opportunity to become better friends and meet new people.”
Nick Davies is a versatile artist who employs print, photography and sculptural techniques in her work. She was previously a regional volunteer with Paintings in Hospitals at Llandough Hospital and has previously delivered arts and health projects, so she was pleased when Paintings in Hospitals invited her to lead this National Lottery-funded project.
“I felt privileged to be invited onto this scheme,” she says. “I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with the residents. I feel incredibly grateful for their generosity in sharing conversations in return for a listening ear.
“For my part, giving time to be heard creates a sense of immeasurable value to this generation in recognising their contribution to society.
“In terms of legacy, it would be incredibly positive for the Penylan Care Home team to continue to use the themes explored in the Paintings in Hospitals interpretations – how residents can be encouraged to engage in shared conversations and meaningful activities that are initiated from a collection of artworks.”
More information on the scheme can be found at www.paintingsinhospitals.org.uk