Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM) and HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, inaugurated artworks on display at the Women’s Wellness and Research Center (WWRC).
The artworks were provided by QM to be put on display in HMC hospitals and facilities and are drawn from the ‘Outbreak’ exhibition held by Doha Film Institute in 2020, inspired by the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the inauguration ceremony, Sheikha Al Mayassa and Dr Hanan Al Kuwari toured the artworks on display at the WWRC, which have been provided to HMC as part of the unique partnership between HMC and QM.
The artworks on display include:
• The Reflection Experiment by Anfal Al Kandari
• Consumer Consumed by Mohammed Al Suwaidi
• Reclaimed by Nature by Roda Al Thani
• A sculpture called Bahrani Baby, by acclaimed Iraqi born and Qatar-based artist Ahmed Bahrani on display at the Women’s Wellness and Research Center
Dr Al Kuwari said the partnership between HMC and QM underscores that art in healthcare facilities has become increasingly essential as more studies highlight the positive impact that art can have in the healing process.
"Engaging with art benefits both physical and mental health. There is a growing body of evidence that shows art within hospitals and facilities can help to ease anxiety, stress and depression for both patients and healthcare staff,” Dr Al Kuwari said.
"Art can transform stark clinical environments into compassionate care spaces filled with inspiration and healing. We thank Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani and the QM for their ongoing collaboration and support in bringing these wonderful and diverse pieces to our hospitals and enabling patients, visitors and our healthcare teams to appreciate them.”
The hospitals of Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City and the Al Maha Center in Al Wakra display artwork from some of the 24 local artists, featured in the original ‘Outbreak’ exhibition.
This exhibition showcased the world’s reality in a period of instability, in addition to paying tribute to Qatar’s frontline workers and modern-day heroes who have continued to play a crucial role in ensuring everyone’s safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other works displayed around HMC facilities include a collaboration with internationally renowned photographer Anne Geddes Anne Geddes and an installation depicting historical Islamic art pieces and sculpture.
She also visited the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute where they met patients and were briefed on a range of the facility’s most advanced rehabilitation services, including Easy Street, the Gait Lab and Physiotherapy Unit.