THEY may not be old enough to be doctors, but several young artists will certainly be able to help patients of Port Macquarie Base Hospital on their road to recovery through the power of art.
Created by Stephanie Sandu, Elizabeth Dik, Aishwary Rana, Max Sagaris, Marisa Rahmani and Cornellius Putraoscar, the six artworks will provide some extra cheer to patients and families during their stay after their pieces were selected to be hung in the hospital’s paediatric ward as part of the Operation Art program.
The artworks will help provide a positive distraction for patients as well as a space for creative imaginations to thrive during long hospital stays and were officially handed over last Wednesday by Operation Art Project officer Lisa van den Dolder.
“Research suggests that an optimistic outlook reflected in artworks contributes to the healing process and recovery of patients. How wonderful it is that art from their peers can be a step towards a holistic healing environment for these young patients,” Ms van den Dolder said.
Tacking Point Public School students Natalie Searle and Lilly Howard, who have both entered artworks in this year’s exhibition, attended the handover on behalf of last year’s artists.
The six works were painted by students from Concord West Public, Glenwood High, Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High, Toormina Public, St Ives High and Canterbury Boys High School respectively and showcase a world of creativity, with artworks ranging from floral paintings, to captivating drawings of wildlife, picturesque mountain scapes right through to a striking photo of a ferris wheel.
An initiative of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in association with the Department of Education and Communities, Operation Art encourages students from kindergarten to Year 10 in all NSW schools to design artworks for ill children that will aid the healing process while giving students the opportunity to express themselves creatively.
