Artist in Residence
As part of Art Beat, we are seeking ongoing funding to support our Artist in Residence program. Projects that respond to the particulars of the health environment whilst engaging our communities are encouraged. We are interested in receiving applications from artists that are keen to establish art projects of this kind.
Inaugural Artist in Residence
Efterpi Soropos, 2008-2010
McCulloch House, Palliative Care Unit
Monash Medical Centre, CLAYTON
Efterpi’s creative partnership with McCulloch House first began in 2007 to conduct research into the effect of the interior environment of hospitals at the end of life. It involved making semi structured interviews with patients at end of life, families and carers and staff about the current environments and what responses and opinions they had about art, image, colour, music, sound, lighting and furniture. The purpose or this research was to support her Masters project to develop artwork to alleviate stress, anxiety and suffering in hospitals and at end of life (Masters in Community Cultural Development, VCA, Melbourne University).
After an extensive research trip to the UK and Holland to investigate art programs in hospitals, the project was funded by Arts Victoria. With the resources and support of McCulloch House the "disambiguation room” was developed in early 2008. This room combined the elements of transformational materials, film, colour, changing lighting and sound/music for participants to be immersed in.
Since the room was completed in July 2008 at total of 200 participants have entered at times alone at times families together or at times patients with their therapists or doctor or the therapists and doctors curious to see how it could work. The information and feedback has been unanimously positive with patients reporting less pain, families reporting a positive way yo spend their time with the loved towards the end of life or simply staff reporting de-stressing and relaxing enough to clear their minds.
The disambiguation room” will continue to operate through out 2009 for the patients at McCulloch House and alongside of this other spaces maybe developed within Monash Medical Centre and Southern Health.
Liza Power wrote a feature article Art of Healing, that appeared in The Age newspaper April, 20, 2009
Efterpi has received grant funding from the Australia Council. Further information on their involvement can be found here. Efterpi received support through an Inter-arts - connections Grant in May 2009.
