Our Students Help Heal with Art in Hospital

How can art provide comfort, inspiration and encouragement? That was the goal of the work by Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Art students currently being displayed at Beijing’s SmileAngel Hospital.

The 23rd November saw the opening of the “Art in SmileAngel Hospital” exhibition with a series of illustrations by 27 students of Dulwich College Beijing, accompanied by musical performances, speeches, and even a visit by Master of Dulwich College, Dr Joseph Spence from London. This is the second art installation since Dulwich College Beijing began cooperating with the hospital last May. This time, the theme was fundamental shared values between Chinese and Western cultures, with inspiration coming from Aesop's Fables, Hans Christian Andersen and traditional Chinese folk tales .

This six-month project demonstrated real-world illustration design as the students conducted research, interviews, measurements, and observations in order to understand the needs of the client and the roles and functions art can play. Throughout the project, students never lost the perspective that the purpose of what they were creating was more important than a GCSE qualification; it was to provide reassurance and alleviate anxiety for the child patients, parents and medical staff of the hospital.

One of the key goals of a Dulwich College International education states that our students will make a positive difference in the lives of others and Graduate Worldwise. We are proud of our students from Dulwich College Beijing whose works of art have proven to help others and make a positive difference in their lives.