Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani and HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari inaugurated artworks on display at the Women’s Wellness and Research Centre (WWRC).
The artworks, provided by the QM for display in Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) hospitals and facilities, are drawn from the “Outbreak” exhibition held by the Doha Film Institute (DFI) in 2020, inspired by the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Following the inauguration ceremony, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa and HE Dr al-Kuwari toured the artworks on display at the WWRC, which have been provided as part of the partnership between the HMC and QM.
The artworks on display include: *The Reflection Experiment by Anfal al-Kandari, *Consumer Consumed by Mohamed al-Suwaidi, *Reclaimed by Nature by Roda al-Thani, and a sculpture called *Bahrani Baby, by acclaimed Iraqi born and Qatar-based artist Ahmed Bahrani.
HE Dr al-Kuwari said that the partnership between the HMC and QM underscores that art in healthcare facilities has become increasingly essential as more studies highlight the positive impact that art can have in the healing process.
“Engaging with art benefits both physical and mental health,” she said.
“There is a growing body of evidence that shows art within hospitals and facilities can help to ease anxiety, stress and depression for both patients and healthcare staff,” HE Dr al-Kuwari said. “Art can transform stark clinical environments into compassionate care spaces filled with inspiration and healing.”
“We thank HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani and the QM for their ongoing collaboration and support in bringing these wonderful and diverse pieces to our hospitals and enabling patients, visitors and our healthcare teams to appreciate them,” HE the Minister of Public Health said.
The hospitals of Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City and the Al Maha Centre in Al Wakra now display artwork from some of the 24 local artists, featured in the original “Outbreak” exhibition.
Other works displayed around HMC facilities include a collaboration with internationally renowned photographer Anne Geddes and an installation depicting historical Islamic art pieces and sculpture.
The dignitaries also visited the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, where they met patients and were briefed on a range of the facility’s most advanced rehabilitation services, including Easy Street, the Gait Lab and Physiotherapy Unit.
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