Virtual worlds created by patients at the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) have been curated in an exhibition, showcasing the Future Stories project.
Future Stories - which began at the QCH in 2019 - has given seriously ill children and young people a chance to explore a world away from their hospital beds by creating their own virtual worlds to escape the boredom, isolation and anxiety of extended hospital stays.
The Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ) project, in partnership with University of New South Wales, Griffith University and Central Queensland University, enabled long-term patients a chance to participate in personalised bedside workshops with Brisbane artist Guy Lobwein and filmmaker Dr Jan Cattoni (pictured) to create and explore their own virtual worlds.
CHQ’s Arts in Health Strategic Lead Lynne Seear said the research project showed the importance of keeping children and young people in touch with the outside world during their treatment, as well as the power of imagination.
“A lot of young people are in hospital for a very long time, and it’s important we find new, creative and innovative ways for them to switch off from their reality during a long hospital stay,” she said.
“Research has shown a direct relationship between feeling and getting better and participating in the arts.”
Seven patients’ virtual reality (VR) worlds have been curated for the Future Stories exhibition including Sophie’s apartment, boutique and cafe in Paris, Dylan’s 1980’s Concorde aircraft which he flew over the Brisbane River and Haro’s island with a flying, five-legged blue dragon.
Carter Giddy was the first young Future Stories artist, who passed away in 2022 after living with the rare genetic condition, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). His virtual reality (VR) world on the moon is also part of the exhibition, which the self-confessed ‘space nerd’ created with the team during a 10-week stay at the QCH in 2019.
Future Stories artist Guy Lobwein worked with each of the seven patients to co-design their virtual worlds.
“This exhibition showcases how each individual came up with their own innovative world and had such a clear vision of what they wanted to create. The process takes around six weeks, and here it’s evident how much effort they put into their worlds” he said.
“Each of these young people have immense imaginations and it was great to help them explore and co-create their own virtual reality experience, as well as share it with their family.”
The exhibition is also the first in the new gallery space, transformed by Arts in Health Program, manager Bonnie Melrose from a heritage vault in the Bank Building adjacent to the QCH.
“We wanted our first exhibition in the vault gallery to showcase the important work of the Arts in Health program and the hospital’s Artist in Residence program in helping children improve their emotional wellbeing and build a stronger sense of self, whatever their diagnosis.”
CHQ’s Arts in Health program has been fostering a sense of connection and community at the QCH since the hospital opened its doors 10 years ago in 2014, offsetting the clinical environment with opportunities for fun, play, creativity, respite and relaxation.