Lucy Ribeiro on art & wellbeing

As part of our exploration into the effects of art on wellbeing, visual artist and former Arts Director at St Georges University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lucy Ribeiro shares her personal experience of the positive outcomes of integrating art into a patient’s recovery.

‘The benefits of the arts on health and wellbeing have long been debated. As Florence Nightingale stated in 1860, “Little as we know about the way in which we are affected by form, by colour, and light, we do know this: that they have an actual physical effect. Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients, are actual means of recovery.”

As a visual artist and former Arts Director, at St Georges University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust I have been fortunate to see first hand the transformative affect of the arts on patients’ wellbeing. Working with contemporary artists such as Albert Irvin, Kristjana S Williams and Quentin Blake has enabled isolating and stressful environments to be transformed into uplifting, engaging and relaxing spaces for patients, their families and clinical staff.

I have worked within hospitals including Evelyn’s Children’s Hospital, the Royal London and Great Ormond Street to engage children, young people and their families in arts programmes that help them to focus on their creativity, not their illness. Many parents have stated that their children’s stress levels have reduced and their concentration has increased when participating in arts activities.

Hospitals are important civic spaces in which to introduce new audiences to art. I work with hospitals who aim to develop creative projects that foster a sense of community. Whenever I develop new commissions or projects I aim to create an exchange of ideas between patients, staff, the wider community and myself. I often use my own practice of drawing and print making, mark making and repetition of everyday natural ephemera as a starting point.

There is growing evidence of the positive affects of the arts on our health and wellbeing whether viewing artwork, participating in the arts, or creating your own art.’

To experience some of these positive affects for yourself, why not join us at the Battersea Spring Collection? Book your tickets here and be sure to check out our jam packed events programme to start planning your visit.

TIM HALL	AMY CARTER	SCOTT NAISMITH
Margate	Take my flower	Connections
Durlacher Contemporary	ArtDog London	Art Agency
Photography	Painting	Painting
£480.00	£1,400.00	£1,050.00

Preview more of our curated art and wellbeing collection online here »

Featured Image:
Lucy Ribeiro. Ginko I. Japanese Ink and Paper. 33 x 48 cm. GX Gallery.