This week was the first session in our 8 week project, working with
patients on the acute male psychiatry ward.
Van and myself arrived at the hospital with our boxes full of
interesting sculpture making materials. We were warmly welcomed by the staff
who helped us set up a space in the communal activity room, where the men and
the staff could drop in over the 2 hour session.
We were thrilled to have so many join us - about 12 patients, who
stayed between 30 minutes and the whole 2 hour session.
We introduced the sculptural process of casting by using clay, plaster,
small objects and our own bodies as a starting point. We began by exploring the
concepts of negative and positive space. Some of the men had experience in
plastering, and were a dab hand at mixing the plaster up to the perfect
consistency. So their tips were helpfully shared amongst the group and the
staff.
An inquisitive approach soon took shape and their ideas began to flow; pressing,
molding, mixing, pouring and waiting for the moment of truth when you find out if your
cast has worked or not. The participants keenly tried more casting and
developed their ideas from small to big. It was fantastic to see them explore
the materials with their bare hands.
Everybody created an individual piece, with the techniques they had
learnt, and openly shared their responses from the activity:
“Thank you for stimulating my brain and helping me think about something else”
“I feel enlightened.”
“This is something I’ve never done before and I'd like to do it again”
We look forward to more casting activities next week.
Bryony Pritchard and Van Nong
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