Artwork created by patients undergoing kidney dialysis has gone on display at the hospital where they receive their treatment.
More than 50 pieces, including sketches, paintings and collages, make up the exhibition as part of the Art in Hospital project at New Victoria Hospital in Glasgow’s southside.
The project is designed to give patients a voice and boost their morale by easing the mental anguish of going through dialysis several times a week.
It can improve patients’ self esteem and confidence by supporting them to step out of their comfort zone, while also providing a welcome distraction from their treatment.
Artists from Art in Hospital spent around five months working with 53 patients in the Renal Dialysis Unit, culminating in the Imaginary Journeys exhibition, with patients exploring memories of near and distant lands, people and places.
Tina Carroll, 68, from Darnley, has been having dialysis at the New Victoria for just over three years and attends three days a week.
The mum of two, who also has two grandchildren, was diagnosed with renal failure in 2017.
She said she was initially reluctant to take part in the project as she didn’t think she was artistic, but told of the positive impact it had on her.
Tina said: “We were told about the project a couple of weeks before the artists came into the unit. At the time I didn’t think I would be interested because I’ve never been able to draw.
“They told me just to have a go, and explained there’s other things you can do apart from drawing. I made collages and paintings using leaves from the Botanic Gardens.
“When you have dialysis you’re there for four hours, three times a week, and a lot of the time you’re sitting doing nothing – watching TV or scrolling on your phone. The time can drag on.
“But taking part in the project made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile.
“I also had high blood pressure and over the course of doing this it got lower. It helped to relax me and it had a positive impact on my mental health.”
John McShane, 32, had a kidney transplant two months ago at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, and got the call to say he was getting the organ while Scotland played Germany at the Euros during the summer.
Before that, he was having dialysis three times a week at New Victoria Hospital after being diagnosed with kidney failure.
The dad-of-one is a trained chef, and said the Art in Hospital project allowed him to reignite the creativity he used in his previous job.
John, from Pollok, was inspired by the dreams of his five-year-old daughter, Emily, when choosing what to focus his artwork on. The piece he has on display is an image of him and Emily sitting on a bench under a lamp post next to a tree.
He said: “I really enjoyed the creativity that the project brought back out in me. It was a bit like my work as a chef because that’s a job that allows you to be creative.
“I always had my dialysis at night, and the nights we were working on our artwork just flew by. Everyone on the unit would be looking forward to it.
“It changed my outlook as the time I was spending on dialysis was getting me down. It allowed me not to think about being on dialysis.”
Janice Gallagher, 63, from Pollokshaws, receives dialysis for the kidney condition IgA nephropathy and also attends the unit three times a week.
She visited the opening of the exhibition with her husband Eddie, and explained how the art project boosted her morale and made her look forward to her appointments.
She said: “I was never an artsy person at school because I never thought I was any good.
“The art teachers that came in were so supportive and encouraging, and gave us lots of guidance which helped me focus and believe I could do it.
“It takes your mind off of what you’re going through and it makes you look forward to going for your dialysis.
“They gave me a sketchbook at home and I’ve continued working on my own drawings.”
Imaginary Journeys went on display in the public ground floor atrium of the New Victoria Hospital this week. It will eventually be moved to the Renal Unit.
Art in Renal Care is delivered across NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde with support from Creative Scotland and Renal Endowments.
Art in Hospital works in collaboration with Dr Mun Woo, Associate Specialist in Renal Medicine for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who has been involved in developing the project.
Dr Woo said: “Patients reported feeling calmer, more content, and more in control of their lives, as a direct result of the art.
“Art lifted the mood of a significant majority of patients, making dialysis a more positive experience for them.
“In fact, half the patients expressed that they looked forward to attending dialysis sessions during the art programme and were sorry to have to leave at the end of their treatment as they had not completed their artwork to personal satisfaction.
“As kidney professionals, we recognise the significant impact of life-preserving, yet gruelling, dialysis treatment on our patients. It is indeed gratifying that this simple, risk-free intervention has gone such a long way in helping to improve their mental wellbeing.”
Robbie McGhee, Associate Director of Art in Hospital, said: “The evidence shows that participation in the arts and culture delivers mental health and wellbeing.
“It also shows that mental health and wellbeing can be gained through contact with arts and culture as a visitor to exhibitions, so this is a win-win for the patients, their families and the visitors to the exhibition.
“The exhibition connects patients, staff, family, friends and the wider public to raise awareness and change perceptions around people experiencing illness.
“It allows patients to value their work and boost their self-esteem and wellbeing. It also allows visitors to the exhibitions to appreciate work as the valid and vibrant art pieces that they are.”
Andrea Sergeant, Senior Charge Nurse in the Renal Dialysis Unit, said: “It is wonderful to see our patients’ artwork on display in this special exhibition.
“You could see the difference the project made to the patients who took part as it gave them a real morale boost.
“Many of them haven’t done art since school, but the team from Art in Hospital provided a lot of support and guidance.
“Dialysis a life saving treatment but it can be difficult as it never ends. During dialysis patients have limited use of one of their arms which makes what they’ve created even more remarkable and we are all so proud of them.”
