THE HEALING POWER OF THE ARTS

A sculpture that commemorates the role and sacrifices that the South African health workers are making to help South Africa get through the Covid-19 pandemic has been donated and installed at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg, where it was unveiled next week Wednesday. Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital’s art curator at the hospital Bongi Dhlomo-Mautloa Says Children with health conditions often experience feelings of loneliness and anxiety and the interactive sculpture donation will delight the senses of the young patients during their healing journey. Mallory Montgomery, an art therapist at Henry Ford Health System says Art is healing because it forces you to forge a connection between your mind and your body. Unlike exercise, which works your body, or meditation, which clears your mind, art-making accesses both mind and body to promote healing. How has the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital chosen its art for this purpose? Guest: Ayabulela Poro – Marketing and communications manager at the Nelson Mandela Children’s hospital