Making art helped bring ‘light into a dark time’

Self-taught artist suffered a stroke

A SERIES of artworks created by a patient during his recovery from a stroke are being exhibited in the Arts Corridor at University Hospital Galway (UHG).

The Brush Strokes exhibition features 11 artworks created by Tuam-native Brendan McHugh when he was a patient in UHG and Merlin Park University Hospital following a stroke.

During his time in hospital, Brendan had the opportunity to engage with professional visual artists through the Saolta Arts programme, where creative practice became part of his response to illness and recovery.

Some of these works are rooted in Brendan’s experience of hospital life and recovery, with references to clinical spaces and treatment; while others draw on the visual world of horror and science fiction that has long influenced his practice, blending personal experience with imaginative themes.

“During my rehabilitation, with my speech impaired, I fell into a trance of making art, it brought light into a dark time,” said Brendan McHugh.

He expressed gratitude towards all the staff of UHG, Merlin Park University Hospital, the Early supported Discharge (ESD) Team and Saolta Arts.

Advanced Nurse practitioner, Stroke Care at UHG, Trish Galvin believes it is a privilege to go on the journeys with the people she meets when they have had a stroke as these journeys “can be varied and difficult”.

“It’s amazing to see how Brendan found an outlet and captured the day to day workings of our hospital ward, to help him on his recovery.

“The title of Brendan’s exhibition is Brush Strokes, after a stroke, art can become more than expression or a piece of work, it becomes a bridge back to yourself, one stroke at a time,” she explained.

Brush Strokes is organised by Saolta Arts as part of its ongoing commitment to bringing high quality arts experiences into healthcare settings for patients, staff and visitors.