We are delighted to welcome the Field of Vision exhibition to the Hearth Gallery, featuring artwork made by the Creative and Therapeutic Arts (CTA) students at University of South Wales, as part of their 2nd year module. This is a collaborative project with Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) at University Hospital Llandough, the Arts for Health and Wellbeing Programme, Cardiff & Vale Health Charity and CAVUHB.
Earlier this year, CTA students visited the MHSOP wards to deliver art workshops to people living with dementia. Four groups each decorated a large box and filled it with materials and instructions to create pieces of art with the general theme of the future of healthcare.
The activities were designed to allow the students to start a creative conversation with the patients and get to know them better. They made sun catchers, paperchains, and paper dolls through a variety of engaging and accessible techniques.
The workshops were a huge success, with high levels of engagement across all four groups. Participants felt comfortable to share their life stories and discuss their love for music, seaside and fashion with the students. The flowing conversations provided ideas and stimuli for the students to create this exhibition. The wide range of artworks on display has a prevalent theme of tactile materials, inspired by the patients’ positive response to the mediums used in the workshops.
This year’s theme is The Future of Healthcare which prompted some students to explore futuristic and innovative ideas, aligning with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.
This exhibition also coincides with Dementia Awareness Week 2024 (13th – 19th May 2024), which aims to educate the public about dementia, and encourage people to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. To donate to the Mental Health Services for Older People at CAVUHB, please visit http://www.healthcharity.wales/donate/
Enormous thank you to everyone involved in the project.
