Client: Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital

Overview

On March 1, 2012, RxArt installed works by Trenton Doyle Hancock at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. Hancock created an original, site-specific mural, approximately eight feet tall by thirty-nine feet wide, that was installed along a wall at the entrance to the hospital's Pediatric Imaging wing. Entitled "Hi and Hi", the color-saturated, three-dimensional mural is densely populated with figures and animals crafted in Hancock's traditional style. The artist’s work captures the importance of humanizing medicine through embracing art as vital part of patient care.

Goals

The therapeutic potential of visual art to stimulate healing is well known, and RxArt, in collaboration with Trenton Doyle Hancock, provides children and their families with creative respite from the anxiety and pain of illness, offering hope. Patients, families, and medical staff greatly appreciate and benefit from the art that surrounds them as the hospital community is one that perpetually struggles with loss, fear, and anxiety.Through Hancock’s lively use of color, language, and pattern the work engages the viewer’s imagination, provides a healthy distraction and an avenue for socializing. According to Anne Ridenour (1998), who stated in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “Art helps children forget that they are ill while being in a strange place that might be frightening. Art connects children to delight and discovery and brings back some of the experiences of being a child, not just a sick child.” A study conducted at VCU Massey Cancer Center (2011) states, “Studies have been shown that distracting patients’ minds from unpleasant thoughts can help them feel better.”RxArt strongly believes art transforms lives, and in combination with first-rate medical treatment, offers immediate benefits to an individual’s health, significantly hastening recovery and shortening length of stay.

Process

Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital approached RxArt with the desire to create a welcoming and warm hospital environment using art as the catalyst. RxArt suggested Houston based artist Trenton Doyle Hancock, and the hospital was thrilled with the prospect of the local artist creating a site-specific work. The team approached Hancock and after he accepted the invitation he visited the hospital and decided on a site for his work. Following the visit, Hancock submitted a formal proposal including safety specs, design and exact measurements. After the hospital approved, RxArt and Hancock reached out to fabricator Rowdy Bush from E.H. Teasley & Company, who had worked on the artist’s project at the Dallas Cowboy's Stadium. After fabrication was complete RxArt organized the one-day intensive installation with the hospital and Ralph Flowers from Corporate Installations. To this day, the pediatric patients and staff continue to be captivated by Hancock’s inspiring narrative work.

Additional Information

The installations were made possible through the generous support of Mollie and Bob Myers.