Cultures Combine At Forth Valley Royal Hospital

A cultural collaboration between Scotland and China has produced a stunning international exhibition which is being showcased at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

‘Flyway’ is a programme using arts to promote mental health and wellbeing, and features work by artists from both countries together with organisations working in the field of mental health. Funded by the British Council, the pieces explore topics such as experience of living with mental health conditions, the interconnections between people and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health. It focuses on the beneficial role of art and creativity in promoting recovery and its overall impact on wellbeing.

The programme is organised jointly by Chinese health and wellbeing charity A Perch for the Thorn Birds and Artlink Central. Submissions were open to professional and amateur artists, and work was encouraged from people who had experience of mental health issues.

In parallel with the exhibition at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, which runs until the end of September 2021, a similar event is being staged in Shanghai (Wisdom Bay) China. The programme also includes an online version with a series of talks and activities.

In addition, there will be a showcase of some of the audio-visual pieces, not currently included in the online or physical exhibition, during an outdoors projection at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in September 2021.