Heartwarming News: Art Enters Hospitals – “Animal Forest” Brings Christmas Warmth to Young Patients

Exposing hospitalized children to art brings them warmth and strength through color. Since 2015, the Art Bank of the Ministry of Culture has been promoting art collaborations with medical institutions. From the exhibition event celebrating the anniversary of China Medical University Hospital titled “Seeing the Simple Beauty,” to last year’s collaboration with the National Taiwan University Hospital Children’s Hospital on the “Magic Art Island Project #001 – Rainbow Island in the Clouds,” both initiatives have received widespread acclaim and positive feedback.

This year marks the first time the project has expanded to Kaohsiung, partnering with Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital on the “Sun Island by the Big Port” initiative. Continuing the Art Bank’s “Magic Art Island” program tailored for medical spaces, this project brings art into various hospital departments including pediatric wards, day care centers, psychiatric units, geriatric wards, and palliative care wards. Through artist participation, space beautification, workshops, and artwork displays, the aim is to help patients relax in environments with comfortable color schemes and playful designs, diverting their attention from illness, and reducing fear associated with medical visits.

A workshop held on October 24 in the pediatric outpatient area on the first floor attracted many young waiting patients. Waiting time became enjoyable as every child happily and attentively engaged in painting. (Provided by the Ministry of Culture)

On the 18th, a results presentation was held at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. Attendees included Director Chang Hui-chun of the Department of Art Development at the Ministry of Culture, Director Hsiao Tsung-huang of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Director Liu Chun-peng of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, as well as healthcare units involved in the project, collaborative partner Chang Jung Christian University's Department of Fine Arts, and artists Lin Ching-fang, Huang Chien-hua, and Huang Po-hsun. They gathered to watch the premiere of the “Sun Island by the Big Port” achievement video. Additionally, Director Chang, Director Hsiao, and Director Liu, representing the group, posted animal-shaped sticker art created by children on the skybridge on the third floor of the medical university, symbolizing the successful completion of the project and a continued commitment to accompanying all young and adult visitors to the hospital.

This project not only expanded in scale but also invited faculty and students from Chang Jung Christian University’s Department of Fine Arts to co-plan children’s workshops, fostering collaboration among the medical industry, academia, and public sectors. It also marks the first time the Art Bank has partnered with a southern hospital. Regarding this collaboration, Director Chang Hui-chun of the Department of Art Development at the Ministry of Culture stated, “Art is like a good medicine. By understanding real needs and bringing art into medical spaces, we can tailor solutions that bring joy to those who experience them.”

From the middle, left to right: Director Chang Hui-chun of the Department of Art Development at the Ministry of Culture, Director Liu Chun-peng of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Director Hsiao Tsung-huang of the National Museum of Fine Arts, and artists Lin Ching-fang, Huang Chien-hua, Hong Ting, Huang Po-hsun, and Chen Dian-mao. (Provided by the Ministry of Culture)

Director Hsiao Tsung-huang also noted, “The Art Bank draws inspiration from the abundant sunshine and the humanistic harbor culture of the region. We hope that in sun-drenched southern Taiwan, art can serve as vessels carrying warmth, delivering color and emotion into hospitals. This transforms originally cold medical spaces into warm sunlit islands, continuing to welcome every child and adult in need of care by the harbor.”

For the children’s workshops, staff from the Art Bank, artist Hong Yun-ting, artist Chen Dian-mao, students from Chang Jung Christian University’s Graduate Institute of Fine Arts, and art therapists worked together. In the “City Stroll” section, children and visitors were guided to draw whimsical maps of Kaohsiung. The resulting artworks were also printed and displayed on the transparent glass panels of the pediatric outpatient corridor on the third floor, where many people stopped to admire the cityscapes as seen through the eyes of children. Walking from the third floor of the outpatient building to the medical building, one encounters a large gate on the connecting skybridge featuring a “Tangram Zoo,” where simple geometric shapes form animals assembled by children. After completion, medical staff arranged these pieces on softly toned walls, allowing those heading to the third floor of the medical building to relax and wander through an animal forest.

In addition, workshops for seniors were held at the day care center. Artists Lin Ching-fang and Kang Ya-chu led elderly participants to recall cherished people, things, and memories through creative expression, under the theme “Memories Are My Courage,” helping to enhance their sense of belonging and connection. Furthermore, artists Huang Chien-hua, Huang Po-hsun, Ge Zhen-jie, and Shen Jian-long were invited to participate in the renovation of medical spaces through commissioned works and licensed artistic imagery. The goal is to allow family members and even medical staff to unwind in spaces filled with artistic ambiance. Director Liu Chun-peng pointed out that besides the Art Bank, they are very grateful for the strong support from the Sunlight Charity Foundation, the Taiwan Art Foundation, and the Department of Fine Arts at Chang Jung Christian University. This artistic transformation not only brightened the eyes of patients and families but also delighted the hospital staff, who now work in an environment surrounded by colorful art.

From the youngest to the oldest, everyone needs care from the medical system at some point in life—whether it’s health consultations, disease treatment, or palliative care. The Art Bank of the Ministry of Culture hopes that the infusion of art will turn each medical department into a warm island, carrying the physical and emotional burdens of patients and their families. They also look forward to more collaborators joining in to create more “Magic Art Islands” and the healing magic of art within medical spaces.

Elderly flower lovers also smiled brightly as they admired the large *dabai biao* (a type of traditional game card) they had painted themselves. (Provided by the Ministry of Culture)

Magic Art Island #002 – Sun Island by the Big Port

Project Location: Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (No. 386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City)

Participating Artists: Hong Yun-ting, Chen Dian-mao, Lin Ching-fang, Kang Ya-chu, Huang Chien-hua, Huang Po-hsun, Shen Jian-long, Ge Zhen-jie, Kim Hyun-jin, Lee Yi-ju, Liu Yu-fang

Execution Team: Art Bank