Meet Hayley. A 24-year-old long-term Gold Coast Health consumer and one of our 2024 ArtBeat feature artists.
Hayley’s passion for colour, pattern and creativity shines through her art, which serves as a therapeutic outlet to help her cope with personal challenges.
Hayley has struggled with anorexia nervosa since a young age and has turned to art to express the emotions she has struggled to articulate.
“My anxiety around food and eating has placed significant stress on my health, leading to multiple hospital admissions and feelings of desperation and loneliness.” Hayley said.
“Art has become a lifeline for me. it provides me a colourful distraction from the overwhelming thoughts and feelings associated with my struggles”.
Gold Coast Health celebrates ArtBeat every year during Queensland Mental Health Week with the aim of reducing the stigma around mental illness. Running from 8-31 October, the event gives consumers the opportunity to showcase avenues for self-expression and share their artistic talents with the community.
“Creating art allows me to focus my energy on something positive, transforming pain into beauty and fostering a sense of accomplishment and hope” Hayley said.
“Each brushstroke, splatter, or squiggle becomes a release, transforming my inner turmoil into something tangible. I enter a state of peace and clarity, where the chaos of my mind quiets down”.
As an inpatient at Robina Hospital’s Acute Young Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Hayley took part in art therapy program where she was encouraged to participate in the ArtBeat exhibition. Her artwork explores themes of hope, resilience, and connection, which she hopes will inspire others facing similar struggles, demonstrating how art can be a powerful tool for healing and recovery.
“By showcasing diverse artistic voices, we can not only help to validate individual experiences but also inspire others on their recovery journeys”, Hayley said.
“I use bright colours, patterns, and abstract forms to reflect my journey. My hope is that viewers feel inspired and uplifted by my art, recognising their own resilience and creative possibilities mirrored in my paintings.”
Be sure to visit the ArtBeat Art Exhibitions in the foyers of both Robina Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital from 8-31 October or join as at the ArtBeat Festival on 11 October.
Hayley will have a number of artworks on display and available for sale at the Robina Hospital ArtBeat Art Exhibition.
