Brush Strokes – art plays part on road to recovery for Galway artist
A self-taught Galway artist who effectively painted himself back to recovery and health after a stroke launched the fruit of his labours last weekend – close to where his art therapy helped him to rebuild his life.
Saolta Arts officially launched Brendan McHugh’s new exhibition, appropriated entitled Brush Strokes, in the Arts Corridor at University Hospital Galway last Saturday.
The exhibition features eleven artworks created while Brendan was a patient in University Hospital Galway 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 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
Brendan McHugh offered an insight into his journey – and art – at the opening on Saturday.
“During my rehabilitation, with my speech impaired, I fell into a trance of making art, it brought light into a dark time,” he said. “I’m deeply grateful to all the staff at UHG, Merlin Park, the ESD Team and Saolta Arts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Trish Galvin, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Stroke Care, Galway University Hospital, also spoke at the launch.
“It’s a privilege to go on the journeys with the people I meet when they have had a stroke, these journeys can be varied, and difficult,” she said.
“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.”
The exhibition continues until June 11.