WoW art exhibition encourages patient’s creative expression

RBWH mental health nurse and artist Taneal Barber

More than 170 artworks are on display as part of the 20th annual Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Windows to our World (WoW) Art Exhibition.

The month-long exhibition, which launched during Queensland Mental Health Week, highlights individuals living with mental illness and is an opportunity for patients, community and staff to showcase their work.

WoW is curated by the occupational therapy assistants as part of the Meaningful Activities Program which also includes a wide range of art and craft such as beading, collage, clay making and painting for mental health inpatient units. For patients the program provides a form of distraction therapy, an opportunity for creative expression, and a sense of purpose.

This year’s WoW theme, “What do you find strength in…”, encouraged mental health consumers in the community and inpatient units and staff at RBWH to reflect on their personal sources of strength and translate these into artwork.

RBWH mental health nurse and artist Taneal Barber is the guest artist for this year’s WoW exhibition.

“Working here as a registered nurse in mental health, I see first-hand the imperative need for therapeutic activities on the ward,” Taneal said.

“All of my pieces are based on mental health states or symptoms that a patient might commonly feel, and I use my unique position as a nurse and an artist to give insight into the complexities of mental health.”

The WoW exhibition artworks are for sale through shopify, with some of the funds raised providing ongoing creative resources for the Meaningful Activities Program.

The WoW exhibition runs until October 27 in the RBWH Art Space on the ground floor of the Ned Hanlon Building.