The Music of What Happens

The Music of What HappensA sTudenT’s guide To ArTs And HeAlTH

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‘It’s like the Fianna and Fionn… “What is the most beautiful sound?”

And they all gave him various answers.

One fella says, “The cuckoo in early April,” you know like… and the

other said, “The blackbird in early May,” you know what I mean…

And then they turned to the great master himself.

“Fionn, for you what is the most beautiful sound?”

And he said, “The most beautiful sound is the music of what happens.”’

BrendAn Flynn In cOnversAtIOn wIth GtI Arts And heAlth students, MArch 2014

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Published by Galway technical Institute 2014

Galway technical Institute

Fr Griffin road, claddagh, Galway, Ireland

tel +353 (0)91 581342 | fax +353 (0)91 589267

www.gti.ie | email [email protected]

Artwork © GtI Arts and health students and workshop participants

Photography © GtI Arts and health students and Marielle Macleman unless otherwise stated

words © GtI Arts and health students and Marielle Macleman unless otherwise stated

All rights reserved

Project and book design Marielle Macleman

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Initially conceived to redress a gap in GtI’s nursing studies programme,

An Introduction to Arts and Health supported students in exploring

their own creativity whilst introducing the guiding values of Arts and

health practice and local examples. A series of conversations and

experiential workshops with an invited visual artist informed students’

own introduction to Arts and health. As a guide made by students

for students, it is intended as an educational resource for future year

groups studying Art and Applied health & social sciences at GtI.

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An Introduction to Arts and Health at GtI was made possible thanks to a nAPd

creative engagement Award 2013-2014.

we would like to thank the following partners and friends:

artsandhealth.ie, Burning Bright, Aileen davoren, Galway university hospitals,

Galway university hospitals Arts trust, Geraldine Gibbons, Margaret Flannery,

Brendan Flynn, sarah Fuller, Anne Jennings, robin Jones, edel Judge, Maura O’neill

and Imelda scully.

the project and book would not have been possible without the foresight and

incredible enthusiasm and support of sarah Farrell.

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The Music of What Happens was composed from the marks,

makings and musings of Art and nursing studies students as they

worked together on an introduction to Arts and health.

scarlett Burke

caroline Griffin

Aisling hill

nuala hiney

elaine Jennings

Philip O’connor

roisin O’connor

elaina stamp

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The Music of What HappensA STudenT’S GuIde To ArTS And HeAlTH

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‘I think unless people have been witness to good Arts and health

practice, it’s sometimes hard for them to see its value.

they say, “Sure why would you want to be doing that?”’

‘I had a copy of the (Galway university hospital Arts trust) book with

me at the surgery when everyone was saying, “Oh, I can’t do it,” and,

“Oh, I’m not good enough.” And by showing them the images I think

they understood the potential. I think a book is a great tool.’

‘I think what I would like to achieve with the book is to create

more art activities in every healthcare setting in the country.’

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‘Maybe it’s a big dream but wouldn’t it be wonderful if the people in

my class got to experience what a hospital setting is like, or a nursing

home, or a hospice, and to see how they, as artists, could possibly

help people.’

‘that’s something actually… when I was going to school, even though

I loved the subject, I would never have taken on art because there

would have been no defined jobs out of it.

even my friend… she’s finished art up at the art college and I’ve never

heard her mentioning Arts and health. so yeah, it should be for art

students as well.’

GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenTS dIScuSS THeIr AIMS And THe WIder

IMpAcT of HAvInG An InTroducTIon To ArTS And HeAlTH prAcTIce

Included In HIGHer-level educATIon.

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ArTS And HeAlTH prAcTIceS brInG ToGeTHer THe prIorITIeS And

SkIllS of boTH ArTS And HeAlTHcAre profeSSIonAlS To proMoTe

HeAlTH And WellbeInG by enHAncInG quAlITy of lIfe for THe

IndIvIduAlS Involved And IMprovInG culTurAl AcceSS In

HeAlTHcAre SeTTInGS. IT SpAnS MAny ArTforMS And forMATS.

‘Medicine is very symptom orientated whereas this is

so holistic. like… you’re dealing with the whole person,

you’re not just dealing with the broken leg or the tumour.’

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where service users are consulted or actively participate in activities

including workshops.

like exhibitions, music recitals in public areas, theatre and poetry readings.

where interior and exterior artworks are designed to improve the

healthcare experience for service users, visitors and staff. As well as

aesthetically contributing to a more pleasant environment, these can

provide practical solutions to things like seating and signage.

where art projects are designed to raise awareness of or address

a specific health issue. this includes workshops and the design of

leaflets, posters and booklets.

HeAlTH proMoTIon

envIronMenTAl enHAnceMenT

TrAdITIonAl ArTS producTIon

ArTS pArTIcIpATIon

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‘I’m always in awe of where the world of art leads people.

the stories and the doors and the windows that can open by

experience of what you are doing now.’

dIrecTor, clIfden ArTS feSTIvAl, In converSATIon

WITH GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenTS

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‘rather than just discussing their health issues, patients and staff are now discussing

how their art projects are coming together - a welcome distraction from the day-to-

day routine of the unit, which is so important for mental and emotional wellbeing.’

clInIcAl nurSe MAnAGer, GAlWAy unIverSITy HoSpITAlS

‘It also gives staff another level on which they can interact with patients and make the whole unit more human.’

conSulTAnT, GAlWAy unIverSITy HoSpITAlS

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I was flabbergasted by the experience because the stories I got… I’d have never heard them if

I hadn’t sat down beside them and talked about what they were drawing. stories of adopting a

child, or growing up in poverty, and of a Mammy who could make a feast out of a boiled egg.

I was very humbled by the experience. It’s a powerful tool. I’ve never witnessed anything like it

in all my years practicing as a nurse.’

GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenT

‘I got staff and patients to do drawings for me in the waiting room of the surgery...

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‘And everyone has a story… ‘

‘It’s about looking at them as individuals and not just another

institutionalized person. An individual who has a life and a family…

their own experiences and skills.’

fIndInG creATIve WAyS To HIGHlIGHT And celebrATe THe

IndIvIduAl HelpS To AvoId people feelInG lIke A nuMber In STerIle

envIronMenTS.

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‘I got the feeling they felt so special because they

were given the time and they were doing something

that they never get the opportunity to do.

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A woman came in and she was just exhausted and she said, “Oh will I? Won’t I?”

And then she said, “This is lovely. This is lovely to do what I want”.’

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‘I just find it very relaxing and it’s a break away from the books…’

‘It’s an outlet, a way of expressing… and then you seem re-energized

to go back to that work.’

‘yeah, when you go back to your assignment you have a fresh

perspective on what you wrote.’

‘well you are locked in to that little space until May essentially so

doing these other things in that space is distracting and, as you say,

an outlet.’

GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenTS TAlkInG AbouT ArT And GArdenInG

AS A MeAnS To relIeve MonoTony In confIneMenT.

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‘I really like music. I think it’s kinda like art. everyone can appreciate

some form of music and everyone can appreciate some form of art.

so it’s great socially you know. you can talk to anyone. everyone has a

song ... and lyrics that mean something to them.’

GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenT TAlkInG AbouT THe IncluSIve nATure

of MuSIc And ArT.

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‘And you have something to look at when you’re finished. you have a

sense of achievement.

everyone was looking at the book I made and they were like, “Wow.”

And then they were like, “Oh, maybe I could have done that after all”.’

experIenced ArTS profeSSIonAlS uSe Good quAlITy, ApproprIATe

MATerIAlS And equIpMenT To enSure poSITIve experIenceS –

even WHen THere Are lIMITATIonS preScrIbed by pHySIcAl And

coMMunIcATIon ISSueS And TIMe.

for SoMe, SeeInG THe Work of oTHerS HelpS THeM To underSTAnd

WHAT IS poSSIble. ofTen, WHAT IS poSSIble exceedS expecTATIonS…

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On a winter’s day in a hospice, a distressed patient confides in a nurse. she fears she

will die knowing that she has disappointed her daughter.

Keen to preserve the memories of their special bond, the daughter had presented the

woman with a blank journal in which to write her memoirs.

Both the woman and the nurse know she is too frail and fatigued to do this in the time

remaining but the nurse thinks that the hospice art project may provide a solution. As

part of a holistic approach to care, she has witnessed Artists and creative writers in

residence address priorities that nursing interventions cannot.

later, when an artist visits the woman, it is the colour of her nightgown that offers the

artist a road in to their conversation.

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Pink is her colour. she has always felt good in pink. It is her favourite colour of sky, the

blush of blossom in her garden that precedes her wedding anniversary, and the colour

of candy floss that evokes happy memories of the fairground when her children were

young. her daughter’s favourite colour is blue. she likes blue skies, no clouds: the hotter

the better. she is always lecturing her daughter on the merits of sunscreen. Blue is the

colour of her daughter’s eyes and the dress she tore at her fifth birthday party when

she climbed the cherry tree.

they talk until the woman tires – their short conversation a mix of reflection, praise

and advice for the daughter. these gain poignancy when isolated on separate pages,

sufficient for a hand-bound book. the text of each page gradually blends from pink to

blue, bound between sheets of lavender, a union of the two. the last page ends the

book as their conversation had started…

her words are the colours of a mother and daughter. they are the colours of sky and

childhood. their colours.

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designed to meet individual needs, Arts and health practices can find a way around what is failing…

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… to support what can still flourish.

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‘It’s like say, when they are very ill and you are helping them get dressed, you give them options of what clothes

to wear. Giving them a choice over what happens next so that they themselves have control over themselves.’

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IT brInGS ouT IndIvIduAl AbIlITy And TAlenT, WHIcH cAn Help oTHerS To See THe IndIvIduAl In A neW lIGHT.

the person-centred approach of participatory Arts and health practices fosters the development of the individual.

It promotes dignity, choice and independence where the participants can be dependent on others for their care.

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‘And that’s really important for family and friends too.

It offers new things to talk about and the works

made can become unique legacies.’

‘It’s like a ripple effect.’

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‘Also for healthcare professionals…

there’s that case study about a music

project in a children’s hospice where a

nurse talks about how the project had

allowed her to see a child smile whom

she had never seen smile before… and

what a profound experience that had

been for the staff involved.’

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‘I’ve always loved drawing and making things but I didn’t enjoy art at

school because it was too structured… there wasn’t enough time.’

‘As a visual artist, most people I have worked with have never made

art or they had a bad experience of it at school. Because you meet

them when they are in need of healthcare services their confidence

can be very low and the idea of doing something new can make

them feel exposed. you need to proceed at a pace defined

by the participant and, in contexts like care for the

elderly or Mental health services, this can

be very slow and very gradual.’

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reGArdleSS of THe ArTforM, pArTIcIpATIve ArTS profeSSIonAlS

creATe A ‘SAfe SpAce’ WHere pArTIcIpAnTS cAn enGAGe AT A TIMe

And pAce of THeIr oWn. THereAfTer, ArTS profeSSIonAlS Are

reSponSIve To cHAnGInG needS.

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“Draw something,” said the Artist.

the students stared blankly at the large sheets of white paper before them, then up at the Artist for some guidance.

the Artist nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders and said, “Anything.”

After an uncomfortable few minutes, two of the students began drawing with the single graphite pencil issued to them. One filled a sheet with bold geometric forms and the other rendered a tiger from the cover of a nearby sketchbook.

their industry seemed to intensify the panic in the eyes of the nursing studies student who sat between them.

without anything at hand to offer inspiration, her mind was as blank as the page before her.

the Artist felt bad. she would never do this normally and was, herself, looking forward to the exercise being over.

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By the time the nursing studies student had resolved to draw her

left hand, the Artist apologised and began grabbing all sorts of

materials. demonstrating the properties of each, she encouraged the

class to explore them all - focusing on mark making and play rather

than finished masterpiece.

“Remember it’s all about the process,” said the Artist.

the students shared concerns about ‘not being any good’ and

began cautious explorations in colour.

In time, the students relaxed and began working intuitively

and imaginatively with materials.

“This feels good!” said the nursing studies student,

spattering paint until her first tentative marks in

graphite were completely obscured.

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the Artist responded, introducing pearlescent inks and suitable brushes. noting that the nursing studies student seemed to be working closely with the friend beside her, the Artist suggested that they work on a large collaborative piece on the floor.

shoes off, an aerobic art exercise began and ink rained like bullets on the floor.

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clearing up at the end of the workshop, the Artist noted that

even the scrap paper that protected the floor looked pretty.

And so she used it for the cover of a concertina book.

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‘Is there a code of practice for artists going into a healthcare setting?

I think not all artists would be suited to going into a healthcare

setting… you would want to be very sensitive.’

‘And they can be challenging environments.’

GuIdelIneS And reSourceS Are AvAIlAble To SupporT ArTS

profeSSIonAlS. Moreover, Good ArTS And HeAlTH prAcTIce

InvolveS experIenced profeSSIonAlS And ArTS orGAnISATIonS

WorkInG In pArTnerSHIp WITH HeAlTH ServIceS To plAn, develop

And SupporT AcTIvITIeS. A proceSS of onGoInG dIAloGue enSureS

THeSe Are MonITored, evAluATed And AdjuSTed AccordInGly To

MAInTAIn Good prAcTIce.

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‘everyone works together up there. there is a big massive table,

everyone sits around it, everyone is invited in, you know. there’s such

a level of respect. no matter who you are, or what level you are at.

everything you say is valued and taken note of. If you have an input

about a patient or any area of work up there, they will listen to you.’

GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenT TAlkInG AbouT THe

MulTIdIScIplInAry ApproAcH of A HoSpIce In THe conTexT

of Good ArTS And HeAlTH prAcTIce beInG InTeGrATed To THe

HeAlTHcAre SeTTInG And bASed on THe developMenT of SHAred

underSTAndInGS.

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here are just some of the local venues that host established Arts and health initiatives as part of the Burning Bright and Galway university hospitals Arts trust programmes alone. some of these venues also offer work experience placements as part of GtI nursing and healthcare programmes.

university hospital Galway, Galway

Merlin Park university hospital, Galway

st. Francis community nursing unit, Galway

Knocknacarra day centre, Galway

solas centre, Galway

Maryfield, Athenry

Portumna day centre, Portumna

st. Brendan’s community nursing unit, loughrea

Árus Mhuire, tuam

Árus Mhic dhara, carraroe

Ionad lae, leitir Mealain

st. Anne’s community nursing unit, clifden

Árus ronán, Inis Mór, Aran Islands

st. Brigid’s, Ballinasloe

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burnInG brIGHT: celebrATInG creATIvITy In older AGe

Burning Bright is a visual art programme that focuses on igniting

the creative spirit in older people. established in 2003, it places

experienced professional artists in hospitals and community nursing

units across county Galway on 8-week residencies. the artists work

collaboratively with each participant to assist in unlocking their

artistic potential. the focus of the programme lies in process, not

product; although high quality work emerges annually, culminating

in an exhibition at Galway Arts centre and a tea dance as part of the

Bealtaine Festival for Older People.

the programme is a model of good partnership, with partners

including Galway county council, Galway city council, Galway

university hospitals Arts trust, Galway Arts centre, the Artists, the

community nursing units, the hse and the Arts council.

48IMAGe: ruby WAllIS

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burnInG brIGHT feATured ArTIST: SArAH fuller

sarah’s mixed-media workshops at st. Brendan’s community

nursing unit in loughrea combine traditional art making, puppetry

and storytelling. through conversation, improvisation, play and

interaction with the puppets, participants shape a developing

narrative. It is a sensitive, inclusive approach that allows elderly

residents with dementia participation in and ownership of unique

collaborative artworks. sarah painstakingly provides written and

visual documentation of their creative explorations, providing a

lasting celebration of their achievements.

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GAlWAy unIverSITy HoSpITAlS ArTS TruST

GuhAt runs the west of Ireland’s leading Arts and health programme

as a means of improving the hospital experience for patients, visitors

and staff of university hospital Galway and Merlin Park university

hospital. Over 300 individual Arts and health events have been

programmed since 2003 including exhibitions, permanent artworks,

participative workshops, music, theatre and poetry. Aimed at

promoting wellbeing and enhancing the hospital environment, these

take place in public areas of the hospital and within departmental

units spanning Paediactrics to care for the elderly.

51IMAGe: AnITA MurpHy

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GuHAT feATured projecT: HAeModIAlySIS

Initially funded by an Arts council Arts Participation Project Award, GuhAt runs an arts project in the haemodialysis unit at Merlin Park university hospital, Galway.

the project was established to enhance the patient experience in two key ways: through art workshops, which aimed to provide positive, productive experiences during dialysis treatment, and through patient-led improvements to the unit. From consultation on colourways to a patient’s artwork being used in the design of soft furnishings – the waiting room and corridor now create a ‘more welcoming environment’ for all with a rolling exhibition of artwork which generates ‘great pride for the artists’.

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‘My heart sank coming into the unit today, leaving the beautiful

summer sunshine behind.

yet the changes to our waiting area are welcome.

I remember when the walls were a dull, dirty green. I suppose all

the hospitals were painted the same. It was so depressing.

every little improvement to our environment makes the experience

of dialysis a little easier.’

pATIenT, GAlWAy unIverSITy HoSpITAlS

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‘But here’s another idea… has it ever been used for nurses or

healthcare workers as a tool to help them relax if they are working in

very stressful environments? like, I have friends that work in A&e and

they have been attacked a few times.’

‘My friend had 20 suicides in one shift. I thought that sounded

like loads but she said it wasn’t unusual – she works in a massive

catchment area.’

‘I wonder if the simple act of drawing a picture could help them

discuss what has happened and maybe recover from a situation

where they are quite frightened?’

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‘what you’re suggesting sounds like Art therapy or Art

Psychotherapy, not Arts and health. the difference is that with Arts

and health practices the focus is the experience and production of

art, whereas in Arts therapies, the primary goal is clinical.

Arts and health practices do not use the artwork or process as a

vehicle to explore issues as in Art therapy, where they describe

a triangular relationship between the artwork, the client and the

therapist.’

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‘And are we going to put anything in the book about this course being

accredited or will it be going somewhere else?’

‘we have talked a lot about arts and healthcare professionals working

in equal partnership. It would be great if an Introduction to Arts and

health was accredited alongside Anatomy. It’s like you said at the

beginning - you’re dealing with the whole person, you’re not just

dealing with the broken leg or the tumour…’

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‘And if it could happen earlier in the year when we don’t have so

many assignments. In fact, it should be right at the start of the course

as a way of getting to know each other. It was ages before we all got

talking on our course. Art is a great icebreaker.’

GTI ArTS And HeAlTH STudenTS TAlk AbouT HoW THey Would

IMprove THe InTroducTIon To ArTS And HeAlTH In THe conTexT of

Good ArTS And HeAlTH prAcTIce coMMITTInG To MonITorInG And

evAluATIon.

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THIS IS noT THe end (furTHer reAdInG)

the GtI Arts and health students compiled a resource of books and information on national

Arts and health initiatives. Ask your teacher if you would like to access or contribute to this.

IrelAnd

THe ArTS councIl www.artscouncil.ie

the Irish government agency for developing the arts. they work in partnership with artists, arts

organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.

ArTS And HeAlTH www.artsandhealth.ie

A national website providing a focal point and resource for the field of Arts and health in Ireland via

resource documents, project case studies, a directory of contacts, perspectives on a range of issues and

current news.

ArTS And HeAlTH co-ordInATorS IrelAnd www.artsandhealthcoordinatorsireland.net

creATe www.create-ireland.ie

the national development agency for collaborative arts in social and community contexts.

GuHAT dIAlySIS projecT exHIbITIon lInk

http://www.iea020.contentcollector.com/business/galwayuniversityhospitalsartstrust/index.html

InTernATIonAl

london ArTS And HeAlTH foruM www.lahf.org.uk

nATIonAl AllIAnce for ArTS HeAlTH And WellbeInG www.artshealthandwellbeing.org.uk

ArTS for HeAlTH www.artsforhealth.org

ArTS And HeAlTH AuSTrAlIA www.artsandhealth.org

THe GlobAl AllIAnce for ArTS And HeAlTH www.thesah.org

The Music of What Happens

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Transcript of The Music of What Happens