Art is therapy
June 8, 2009
Yeah, the morphine was helping.
One of my photos in "Illuminations."
But the pain was persistent, as only pain can be. And hospital beds are only so comfortable.
I had already been in the emergency treatment room for a while — thinking about the pain, remembering what had got me there, waiting for tests, wondering when I’d be back to “normal” — when I noticed the 20-by-30-inch painting hanging on the wall. It was an impressionist-style view of a narrow, sun-drenched street. An outdoor cafe table and two empty chairs — surrounded by colorful flowers and potted plants — looked particularly inviting. I started thinking about stepping into that setting — and that was exactly the point.
Art is therapy.
And on June 16, I’ll have the privilege of experiencing this concept from the other side. That’s when a very special show is opening at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Yawkey Center. The program, “Illuminations,” was created to bring in art work for the benefit of patients at the hospital’s cancer center. I am one of 15 artists participating in the group show, and Mass General is inviting friends, family members and fans of the artists to come to the opening. I hope to see you there.
When I first read about “Illuminations,” I knew I wanted to participate. And I could not have been happier when I learned that several of my photos were selected for this summer’s show. The idea that my images might be able to provide even a brief distraction for someone going through a tough time is immensely rewarding.
We’ve all experienced art’s therapeutic nature to some degree: whether it’s upbeat songs that lift up our moods, movies that provide temporary escapes from life’s stresses, or books that take our brains away on vacation. Two days ago, an impressionist painting had a similar effect on me. I had taken a bad fall off a retaining wall, tumbling 5 feet down onto my driveway. Simply put, it hurt like hell. And the truth is, I’m still pretty sore.
I’m not here to say that the artwork hanging in my treatment room magically took all the pain away. But for a moment, it did channel my thoughts onto something else — something peaceful and positive. And what a thrill it is to think that I might be able to do something similar for someone else.
For more details on the show and the opening reception, click here.
