Client: Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, Brazil

Overview

What? ‘Beasties’ at Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, Brazil? How did they get there? Neil Murphy, artist, worked with A Marie Wikoff of Wikoff Design Studio to get these creature new living quarters on the walls of Hospital de Câncer de Barretos in São Paulo, Brazil. Neil was more than happy to work on this project that brought something new and different to a children’s hospital. Not just happy animal and balloons. Not all of the little beasts are happy or comfortable. Children undergoing treatment for cancer can identify with that, and perhaps will be more likely to talk about what they themselves are going through. It’s about empathy.

Thirty of these ‘beasties’ are now living in the hospital. They are printed on either 30 or 40 inch on aluminum panels.

Goals

Start conversations! Children look at the little beasties and identify with their disjointed and strangely different lives. Kids with cancer are uprooted and disjointed for their normal life. Some of these images are humorous. A little laughter goes a long way with kids dealing with major health problems. Some are having difficulties. Kids identify and empathize. Healing conversation ensue.

Process

The artist worked closely with A Marie Wikoff Design to craft the images and deliver them to the printer. There were continuous conversations between the artist, designer, and the printer to ensure the client in Brazil recieved what they needed and expected. Teamwork!

Additional Information

Neil Murphy notes "I understand that it was the children of the head architect who helped make final choices of what art was to go into the hospital!" Doesn't get better.