Art: the new therapist

You might have seen many offices and restaurants in the city that are adorned with all kinds of artworks to beautify the ambience. But have you ever heard of a hospital using art as a therapy for its patients?

You might have seen many offices and restaurants in the city that are adorned with all kinds of artworks to beautify the ambience. But have you ever heard of a hospital using art as a therapy for its patients? Well, launching today at Fortis Gurgaon is a selection of 300 paintings made by doctors, and, disabled children and artists, which will explore the idea of art in healing.

“The artworks will be put up at the boulevard area of the hospital for the launch. After that, we have carved a programme where we will take these works to the patients, who will decide the art piece they want in their rooms,” says Ashok Chordiya, director, Fortis Gurgaon.

Titled, Art and Health, the project is sincere, but is at a very initial stage, which the hospital authorities plan to expand with time. “We have been working on this project for the past eight weeks and things have come out pretty well. We plan to take it forward by including other art forms such as music for therapeutic purposes,” says Chordiya.

The artworks here include a series of paintings on spirituality by Dr JS Bhogal, who feels that a lot of patients can relate to his work. He has also done a series of paintings on women.

Artist Prabha Shah has contributed 20 oil works on canvas, which are mostly impressionist artworks. There is also a whole range of 200 paintings by children that depict their lives, sorrows, happiness and childhood.

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Other hospitals that have artworks on display
Alchemist Hospital
This hospital has put up a few artworks by famous artists such as MF Husain at its waiting lounge and lobby. They also have artworks in check up rooms such as CT scan and MRI. “Such kind of installations on the wall give the patient a soothing effect, as it’s better to look at them instead of staring at a blank white wall,” says Probjot Bhatia, chief operating officer, Alchemist Hospital.

Artemis Hospital
All the artworks put up at this hospital have been bought for a charitable cause. “The artworks have been bought for charity,” says Devlina Chakravarty, chief operating officer, Artemis Hospital. These works have been put up in the main waiting area, OPD and various other rooms. They have also displayed works of the kids of hospital employees, which were a result of a weekend competition.

Catch it here
What: Art and Health
When: March 30
Where: Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Sector 44, Gurgaon
Timings: 5pm onwards Nearest Metro Station: HUDA City Centre on the Yellow line