Artists Push for ‘Beautiful Delivery’ at Pumwani Hospital
Three artists: Kevin Oduor, Gakunju Kaigwa and Wambui Kamiru from Kuona Trust have dedicated their art to welcoming babies into the world. Happening today (Wednesday April 2nd ) at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, the artists are part of the launch of an outreach programme dubbed “A Beautiful Delivery”. Together with other art pieces, collected through a general call to other Kenyan visual artists, these pieces will be received by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Art and Culture - Dr. Hassan Wario and the Deputy Governor, Nairobi County - Hon. Jonathan Mueke.
Artwork in hospitals can serve as a positive distraction for what the patient is experiencing. It is the ultimate way to demonstrate the healing power of art and its utility beyond aesthetics. The project is aimed at demonstrating the necessity and utility of art in public spaces.
The new project is set to give the hospital’s space a facelift and also serve as a positive distraction for the strenuous process of delivering. In 2004, a clinical study showed that placing original artworks within the healthcare environment had the following benefits:
- Reduction in levels of anxiety, stress and depression
- Reduction in patients’ length of stay within the hospital
- Reduction in the use of some medications
- Increase in staff morale
Through these artist’s works, patients will be able to be demonstrated to the healing power of art and its utility beyond aesthetics. Pumwani hospital’s wall are currently stark and drab, with images from posters of dying or deformed babies, mostly information from NGOs and various campaigns that must be shocking for mothers.
We are very happy that this initiative was partly funded by the proceeds from the Absolut Art event UP held last year at Kuona Trust. For more, contact www.kuonatrust.org
By Anyiko Owoko
