AN EXHIBITION of 32 paintings by more than 20 people who are or have been patients at the Adelaide and Meath and National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, opened in the Tallaght Community Arts Centre in Tallaght village last week.
The work was the result of art workshops held in the age-related, cardiology, oncology, renal dialysis units and in children's wards.
"We had a team of 15 artists working with patients in different parts of the hospital and this is the first time we've had a show combining art works from different units," explained Hilary Moss, the arts officer at Tallaght Hospital.
James Finnegan stood proudly beside his landscape painting, entitled The Road to Sugarloaf. "I painted it during chemotherapy sessions. It was very therapeutic and helped put my mind at ease," he said.
Eithne Bierney and Ann Rountree meet three times a week for their three-four hourly sessions on kidney dialysis. "The art gave us something to do to help pass the time. It was a change from sewing, reading or watching TV," said Ms Bierney.
Declan Mulligan is one of the artists who worked on the project. "Initially, the patients are hesitant but within two- three weeks, they can produce a painting. It is particularly good for patients who have suffered from a stroke because it gives them the confidence to come out of their shell," he explained.
"The arts programme is hugely important," according to Prof Des O'Neill, geriatrician at Tallaght hospital. "It offers patients a neutral space to express themselves and gives professionals insight into what illness means and the course of recovery. It also gets away from the 'disability is disaster' concept, and gives a fullness and roundedness to people's lives."
Currently the HSE doesn't fund arts programmes in hospitals. "We believe it's valuable both for healing and coping with illness. The continuing challenge is to mainstream the use of arts in healthcare," said Ms Moss.
Tony Fegan, director of Tallaght Community Arts, added: "We've worked with the hospital for eight years now. A number of patients begin their journey in the hospital and then join an open arts class with us."
The Tallaght Community Arts Centre is soon to move closer to the hospital, to a new purpose-built building with studios and galleries in Library Square, Tallaght.
