Artists Praised at Tunbridge Wells Care Centre

Resident’s from the Tunbridge Wells Care Centre recently publicly exhibited their artwork in an exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Library entitled ‘The Big White Wall’.

‘I can’t do that’ or ‘art is what you see in a gallery’ is a common misconception for many people. In its simplest form, making one mark on a canvas is producing a unique piece of artwork because you have determined where the mark goes and in what colour – it’s your own piece of self expression.

Here at TWCC we actively encourage all our residents to participate in activities where self expression is the basis, whether it’s painting, bookmark making, floral arrangements, pottery painting, and creative writing or in music. The sense of pride, self-esteem and well-being which results from the work is fundamental to the ‘person-centred’ approach we adopt in our nursing environment.

Our stimulating activity programme includes entertainers, travelling museums and visiting animals all of which are under-pinned by our community outreach programme that maintains links to the outside for all the people in our care.

The centre piece of the exhibition was a painting made up of twenty five separate canvases which when displayed together was a replica of Andy Warhol’s famous print of the 50’s movie siren and icon Marilyn Monroe. Residents each painted one small section which made a truly stunning image that is now on display in our reception area.

The general public were very complimentary of all the work leaving the following comments:

“Stunning and powerful use of strong colours. Beautiful. Well done!”

“Love this vibrant expression of colours!”

“Really inspiring. Love the colours. Would hang on my wall any day!”

“A very imaginative and beautiful collection of artwork. All individual with own feelings portrayed.”