Healing Through Dialogue
The exhibitions in Tynedale Patients Centre are developed by the Diabetes Team and myself as part of my doctoral research Healing Through Curatorial Dialogue at Northumbria University. I have been investigating how to create art and exhibitions in order to enhance the healing process and to explore the relationship between art and long-term health conditions. I worked with the Diabetes Team through a series of workshops, from January to May 2009. Four exhibitions have been created, namely, Wishes (a photo-collage), Flow (4 colour photographs), Horizon (14 colour photographs) and Tree of Hope (acrylic paintings on wood installation).
During the workshops, the artworks acted as a catalyst for dialogue, in which participants were able to freely communicate their feelings and experiences about coping with chronic illness. They also shared their visions for the ideal healing environment. An understanding was forged, and the bond within the group grew stronger as the workshops progressed. Through working with the group, I learned that the key to healing lies within supportive relationships where everyone is willing to listen to each other and are committed to working together towards the common goal of healing. It became far more important to make curatorial decisions with the patients and members of staff than alone. Every decision involved listening, discussion, respect, understanding and trust. Through this discourse, I slowly began to understand how to create art and exhibitions to enhance the healing process.
The resulting exhibitions could not have been developed without the active participation and tremendous support of the Diabetes Team. Special thanks go to David Bumby, Debra Stone, Guitty Bonner, Karen Jones, Jackie Rollingson, Jessica Outhwaite, Margaret Stewart, Melanie Taylor and Simon Eaton.
Poyan Yee, Artist-Curator
Winter 2009
Wishes
