Art for health's sake: Community mosaic wall unveiled at hospital

The 34.6m-long community mosaic art wall is the longest of its kind in Singapore. The wall is part of the first JurongHealth Arts&Health Festival, held yesterday to show how art can improve the welfare of patients and their families.
The 34.6m-long community mosaic art wall is the longest of its kind in Singapore. The wall is part of the first JurongHealth Arts&Health Festival, held yesterday to show how art can improve the welfare of patients and their families. PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

If this wall could talk, it would tell tales of health, hardship and healing.

Patients, staff, visitors and other members of the community came together at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital to piece together a 34.6m-long mosaic made out of 380,000 small tiles.

Featuring Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital, nature and blue skies, it was designed by Singaporean mosaic artist Nanette Zehnder and her team of artists.

The wall, which took nine months to complete, has entered the Singapore Book of Records as the longest community mosaic art wall in Singapore.

The wall is part of the first JurongHealth Arts&Health Festival which was held yesterday to show how art can improve the welfare of patients and their families.

"Art can improve the well-being of patients, and it has become an integral part of our care for a more comfortable healing journey and better outcome," said Mr Foo Hee Jug, chief executive officer of JurongHealth.

The arts and health festival featured a collection of artworks by Singapore artists, created in collaboration with patients, community partners and hospital staff. It includes a colouring book specially created for the patients and their families.

The colouring book, Colour My World, features 20 images of original artworks displayed around the hospital, which have been converted into line drawings.

JurongHealth believes the process of colouring can be therapeutic for patients dealing with medical conditions, and also help caregivers reduce stress .

Across the hospitals, there are over 160 community artworks created in a collaborative effort by 1,500 community partners, staff and patients. Mr Foo added that studies have shown that art can improve one's well-being. "Through the healing qualities of the arts, we want to foster a connection and build relationships with our patients, families, community and partners."

Mrs Rosita Lui, an art therapist working with JurongHealth said: "Art therapy is good to relieve anxiety and provide positive engagement."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 01, 2016, with the headline Art for health's sake: Community mosaic wall unveiled at hospital. Subscribe