Healing art in healthcare has become an increasingly common topic of conversation throughout the design industry. Patient satisfaction and the effects on patient recovery have been tested and proven to be a positive correlation with healing artwork in patient rooms, corridors, waiting areas, and more. The use of healing art in healthcare has become an increasingly popular topic due to the impacts of biophilia on patients, staff, and families.

One of the unique ways to incorporate healing art in a facility is to focus on the local culture. As a designer or project manager, lean into listening to local influencers and committees to determine what aspects of culture are important to the community. Intertwining art with cultural stories helps patients, families, and staff resonate with the piece and create a personal connection. Incorporating the community through healing art in healthcare could include printing artwork of local vegetation, plants, and flowers. Using nature-inspired artwork with a cultural emphasis can bring a sense of familiarity, restoration, and comfort to patients and families.

Native Culture Meets Modern Medicine

Our team was honored to provide healing artwork for the Beacon Children's Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. Native Indian healing plant collages were used on the 5th and 6th floors at Beacon Children’s Hospital. The plants were labeled using the indigenous names for the medicinal plants used by the local Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Our team worked with the hospital to create a beautiful display that combines the Pokagon culture while sharing the importance of modern-day medicine and its benefits. 

Healing Art in Healthcare

 

Plants featured in the healing art:

  • Honeysuckle – Osawaskones
  • Mullein- Waboyanbeg
  • Water Lily – Ketewi
  • Wild Bergamot – Amowish
  • Medicine Water – Gibek Nibe
  • Sage- Mishshkodewabek
  • Cedar - Gishki
  • Sweetgrass- Wingush
  • Cattail- Abakweshk

 

Summary

Healing plant collages are a beautiful way to unite communities with their local culture, add value, share stories, and create a place of unity. As designers, project managers, architects, suppliers, and more, we can celebrate and support local communities through design, architecture, and art. Cultural connections through healing art in healthcare is just one of the ways to make a positive impact on patient well-being and recovery.

Looking for more healthcare art inspiration? Check out our additional installations here.