Home / Arts and Entertainment / Art Heals Burnout: Bearden Mural's Power
Art Heals Burnout: Bearden Mural's Power
4 May
Summary
- Bearden mural at Bellevue Hospital aids nurses battling burnout.
- The artwork, "Cityscape," uses collage and paint.
- Art viewing boosts well-being, even for two minutes.
Romare Bearden's "Cityscape" mural, a 26.5-foot artwork at Bellevue Hospital since 1983, is now serving as a healing tool for nurses experiencing burnout. The mural, created in 1976 for Lincoln Hospital, uses cut-out photographs, paint, and fabric to depict city life.
Originally intended for Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, "Cityscape" faced rejection and spent seven years in storage before finding its home at Bellevue, America's oldest public hospital. Bellevue's "Arts in Medicine" program utilizes its extensive art collection, including Bearden's work, to support healthcare staff.
A recent session saw nurses engage with the mural, discussing its imagery and drawing parallels to their hospital experiences. Art therapists guided the session, emphasizing that even short periods spent with art, viewing or creating, can significantly boost well-being and help combat the pervasive exhaustion faced by medical professionals, especially after recent intense periods.
Bearden, born in 1911, was influenced by the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance, and his background as a social services caseworker. His art, like "Cityscape" and "The Block," often reflects urban life and intimate human moments, offering a powerful counterpoint to challenging realities.
