Throughout September, the foyer of Gold Coast University Hospital is home to Knitting Makes Me Feel Comfy, a condensed showing of local artist Melissa Spratt’s feature exhibition SENSITISED & SENTIMENTAL, presented by the Creative Health Hub.
Melissa is best known for her finger-knitted artworks. In this exhibition, brightly coloured text pieces explore her lived experience as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), a personality trait where emotions and sensory input are felt more deeply. The exhibition has been years in the making.
“This body of work has been a long labour of love, it began almost four years ago and has grown to be a collection of 20 original textile artworks and a documentary film,” she said.
“I’m excited to share a portion of this exhibition in the hospital setting to reach those in our community that will hopefully feel seen and heard by the words. I’m still learning what it means to identify as a Highly Sensitive Person and how I show up in the world. This creative process has highlighted how important our differences can be.”
Finger-knitting, or knitting without needles, is central to her practice. Melissa said the process has become a cornerstone of both her art and her wellbeing.
“I find the technique finger-knitting to be very accessible and therapeutic. It’s something I love to share with community, so they too can feel the sense of connection and calm it offers.”
Alongside exhibiting, Melissa also recently contributed to the Creative Health Hub’s C.A.R.E. Day, where she facilitated workshops for patients living with persistent pain.
“The workshop I facilitated during this special day was such a great way to show these patients that it’s exciting to try something new, and even though there may be mental or physical barriers, it’s worth giving something creative like this a go,” Melissa said.
Her teaching background and broad experience across the arts have shaped her approach to facilitation.
“It’s very rewarding to see someone come in who thinks they cannot do something and for them to give it a go. Their face lights up when they get it! I think it’s even more important to bring this sense of accomplishment to the healthcare setting because when things are feeling out of your control, it is fulfilling to feel good through learning and then be able to share that new skill with others.”
Melissa said if people take one message from her work, it’s that sensitivity is a strength.
“‘Sensitive’ is a superpower and it does not mean weak or not capable. It means seeing the world in a unique and beautiful way,” she said.
The exhibition was first displayed at Tweed Regional Gallery, and Laura Strange, Principal Project Officer Creative Health, said it is particularly powerful to now share it in a hospital environment.
“It’s really special to bring an exhibition of this calibre, which has already been presented in a regional gallery, into the hospital setting. It means people who may never step into a gallery still have the chance to encounter and connect with contemporary art.
"Exhibitions like Melissa’s not only increase awareness of how we each process the world differently, but they also show the impact of making art accessible in healthcare spaces. It allows more people, patients, families, visitors and staff alike, to engage with and experience the benefits of art at a time when they might need it most," Laura said.
The exhibition is on display throughout September at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Next month, the Creative Health Hub will present ArtBeat, the hospital’s annual showcase celebrating the creativity of people living with a mental health diagnosis for Queensland Mental Health Week (5–13 October).
For more information on Creative Health Hub programs, email the Creative Health Hub team.
