Extended Practice

Reflect on your own experience of the extended dimension of your practice.

I can illustrate my experience of the extended dimension of my photographic practice through the following case study.

The Photographic Society to which I belong was recently invited to supply photographs for the Intensive Care Unit at the local Hospital. As Public Relations Officer for the society, I have been (and still am - it is not yet complete) involved in the project.

(C) Emma Jarvis

Whilst undoubtedly exciting and prestigious, the project presented us with particular set of challenges which it was essential to meet:

the subject matter had to be of a certain kind: uplifting, outward-looking, optimistic...
the technical specification was demanding - the images had to be capable of enlargement on a large scale
and they needed to be printed on an easily-sanitised substrate: nothing in the intensive care unit must be a germ or dust-trap.

It is well recognised that art can help lower levels of anxiety by making surroundings more relaxed and less institutional. Keeping in a positive frame of mind is essential to patient recovery and it was hoped that we could supply a set of photographs which would help those who viewed them (some of whom were critically if not terminally ill) to remain optimistic, or at least less anxious than they might be with nothing but grey walls to look at.

Studies* have ascertained that representational art depicting nature can have a beneficial effect on patients experiencing stress and anxiety, so we tried to remember this when asking for submissions.

From my own perspective I am finding this project at once frustrating, daunting and incredibly rewarding. I am frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm from the society membership (the old, old, problem: "we like the idea but we don't want to do anything about it"). The importance and scale of the project is somewhat daunting at times - I don't feel qualified to be responsible for the aesthetic well-being of the critically ill. Yet at the same time - what an opportunity! What a wonderful chance to contribute something to a major venue in the city and, hopefully, make someone smile a little...

As I mature as a photographer and receive more critical acclaim (I have had a few accolades from peers for my work, albeit on a modest platform), then I expect to relax more and enjoy the stimulation of commission such as this one. At the moment I am content to be the public face of the photographic society and, if my work gets selected alongside that of others, that will be a bonus.

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The Foundation for Hospital Art

Hospital art offers comfort to cancer patients Guardian Unlimited Sept. 27, 2004

Art in the Hospital (Homerton) including a staff photographic exhibition

* Studies supporting the benefits of Art in Hospitals. Source: The Foundation for Hospital Art, with thanks.

Friedrich, M J. The Arts of Healing, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), May 19, 1999.

This essay showed that psychologically appropriate art substantially affects such patient outcomes as high blood pressure, anxiety, intake of pain medication, and length of hospital stay. In particular, representational nature art was shown to have a beneficial effect on patients experiencing stress and anxiety.

Ridenour, A. Creativity and the Arts in Health Care Settings,
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), February 4, 1998

"Art helps children forget that they are ill while being in a strange place that otherwise might be frightening. Art connects children to delight and discovery and brings back some of the experiences of being a child, not just a sick child."

Ulrich, R. View Through A Window May Influence Recovery From Surgery,
Science, Volume 224, April 1984

A landmark study in 1984 found that post-surgical patients with a view of trees in full foliage versus patients with a view of a brick wall had shorter post-operative hospital stays, required less medication, and experienced few post-surgical complications.

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