PIECES of artwork that have brightened the days of patients at St Richard’s Hospice have gone on show at The Commandery.
The exhibition entitled “It’s Difficult to talk about….Expression and Art at St Richard’s Hospice” brings together 12 textile artworks created by users.
The masterpieces are mostly centred on the Hospice’s snowdrop emblem, but others have drawn some interesting inspiration from elsewhere.
Each person used their artistic creativity to express themselves during their palliative care experience.
The artworks are displayed across one wing of the Commandery so that the artists can be appreciated as individuals as well as their efforts as a group.
On Monday (November 25), the Mayor of Worcester, Coun Pat Agar, visited the Commandery to view the exhibition and offer her support to this significant development in forging links between the community and the historic venue.
This exhibition is the first step in a collaborative programme that it is hoped will produce larger exhibitions in future years.
“This link is more profound when we consider the Commandery’s roots as St. Wulfstan’s Hospital, an institution that also cared for people”, Alexander Woodward, who has organised the exhibition on behalf of the Commandery, said.
Hospice creative therapist Mary Jenkins added: “Collaborative pieces work well to break down barriers, boost self-esteem and promote bonding between individuals.
“Showing the work at the Commandery gives patients the opportunity to express themselves, sharing the skills they learnt and embracing and celebrating the talents of the many individuals involved.”
Mary said developing community links was important for patients, some of whom found it difficult to get to historical or cultural venues because of their illnesses.
The current exhibition builds on previous displays of patient work at the Commandery.
The exhibition runs through to the end of December. The Commandery is also displaying the creations from the Commandery’s Knit One for Worcester project, including leaves knitted by St Richard’s patients.
