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Hospital pioneers decorations

The Young Reporter (1994, December 19), 27(03), pp. 6.
Author: Lucia Li.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0002105

By LUCIA LI

WANDERING in fairyland with fresh air exuding from the pastoral scenes - here is the masterpiece of a group of enthusiasts. They overcome all barriers and insist on the work ART IN HOSPITAL.

“Art is generally regarded as something abstruse, a pursuit satisfying oneself rather than serving others. A hospital is a place filled people with illness and threat of death. Hong Kong Fellowship of Christian Artists - Garden Streams and Hong Kong Arts Centre jointly launched the Art in Hospital project.

The project aims at creating an optimistic and bright atmosphere in hospitals by integrating art into them. It has only one humble desire: to humanise the hospital environment.

The two organisations, which have long records of supporting social art programmes, launched the Art in Hospital project which is a continuation of their past effort in Vietnamese Camps - “Art in Camp” . Both projects try to take art out of the museum and put it into social contexts like camps and hospitals.

Mrs Evelyna Liang Kan Yee-woo, one of the originators of Art in Hospital and the chairlady of the Garden Streams said, “my years of teaching the physically handicapped to draw in hospital have impressed me to do something for them. We have to get rid of the depressing environment and build a new light cheerful world, hence transforming their life-attitude.”

The other initiator, Mr Oscar Ho, a former cancer patient who is also the Exhibition Director of the Hong Kong Arts. Centre, agreed, “Art has the power to heal. Although art may not heal diseases directly as doctors do, a comfortable and cheerful environment can surely help the patients in many ways.”

Ms Grace Chung Man-ha, the of “Art in Hospital” of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH), developed a similar thought when the Hospital was going to be redecorated last year. Realised the Easter Project at the Radiotherapy and Oncology Unit (RT Unit), Grace immediately contacted the two organisers and set the other two programs in the PWH.

“It seems that children and cancer patients may need this service,” Grace said, “the children can’t understand why they have to stay in the hospital and suffer the various pain.”

The 7D children’s ward, the second venue, was given a new look of colour and delight at the end of the project in mid-August. Lovely cartoons are painted on the walls. The room for dynamic studies is transformed into a fenced little house with a luxuriant apple tree standing in a vast pasture. It is a good place to sing songs and listen to stories.

Mr Lam Yuk-fai, Vice-Chairman of Garden Streams, who is also an artist, said, “The theme of the three projects at the PWH centres on a natural garden with the spirit of life, hope, activity and the best side of the world. The trees and flowers suggest ife rather than death.”

Grace said, “Picture design is usually proposed by the organisers and they consulted us afterwards. In most case light and soft colours are preferred.”

Ms Liang, an artist as well, concluded, “Art in Hospital intended to improve the hospital environment.” Take a look at 7D ward, the dull white curtains between beds are replaced by the colourful cartoons.

The middle-aged male cancer patients of the RT unit highly appreciated the murals, “Green makes people comfortable and feel warm. It is no longer liked a ‘hell’ surrounded by four deadly white walls.” One even said that when he found time was hard to bear, just a look at the flowers and trees made him feel better. “Even the cleaning lady could imagine herself walking in a wood,” Ms Lai.

The sick children in ward 7D have different responses to the mural painting. “It is beautiful and lovely.” “It is nice and comfortable.” “Isn’t it wonderful ? ” “It is just like a playground.” “I get less afraid of the hospital.” Sometimes they even wanted to pick the fruit from the tree.

Samuel Yeung, a student of Swire School of Design in Hong Kong Polytechnic and the voluntary artist of Art in Hospital, considered the project a meaningful conception. He said, “Art communicates the message of concern and care to the patients and supports them to overcome their illnesses.”

As a non-profit-making project receiving no recurrent subsidy, Art in Hospital relies mainly on donations from individuals and corporate sponsorship.

“It is a great joy to receive generous donations and support from people surrounding us,” Mr Lam said, “I remember one time when we received a donation from some strangers in Norway and Switzerland. It is so unexpected ! ”

Mr Lo, a spokesman of Hospital Authority, commented, “We greatly appreciate their efforts and encourage them to continue.”

There are several other hospitals, such as Caritas Medical Centre, Kwai Chung Hospital and Haven of Hope Hospital, have showed interest in having a project, but they have to wait in a long queue. “We can only choose by project and on a first come first served basis.” Ms Liang said.

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