Mumbai: Rang De Neela's 'Art For Health' Exhibition To Showcase Real Healing Journeys Through Painting At Jehangir Art Gallery

Mumbai: Rang De Neela, a social initiative, will host a unique art exhibition displaying 45 paintings dedicated to the stories of valour in the domain of health and healing. The social initiative has collected inspiring healing journeys collaborating with the top doctors from across the medical segments and converted them into art pieces.

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasised on healing through art, the first unique art exhibition ART For HEALTH, will display diverse stories of health challenges through the medium of paintings.

The exhibition that will commence on January 7 at the Jehangir Art Galler, will display healing journeys of 13 cancer survivors, six organ transplants, pediatric health, generic health, mental health, women's health and more.

ART for HEALTH is part of a larger initiative, Rang De Neela, which aims to harness the power of art in improving health literacy, promoting positive health behavior, and helping individuals and communities manage chronic, acute, and mental health conditions. Rang De Neela will host an art exhibition that will showcase a variety of real-world narratives related to health issues.

This first-of-its-kind art exhibition with feature a unique collection of 45 works produced by skilled artists drawn from across India by integrating health into art that brings hope to several with subtle colors and courageous stories. These stories include tales of medical crisis, financial crisis and emotional crisis that the patients undergo while fighting a disease. This initiative also aims at increasing health literacy among people.

A brainchild of Dr. Ami Shah and Dr. Rajiv Kovil, the initiative is inspired by the WHO’s scoping report that recognised the instrumental role art can play in healing. This duo began by integrating art into their healthcare practice in Mumbai and are also building an intersectional community of artists and doctors through the HEARTIST Program.

Dr Rajiv Kovil, co-founder of Rang De Neela, said, “These art pieces reflect the journeys of individuals, narrated alongside their doctors and caregivers, who share their experiences of hope, courage, and resilience. The exhibition aims to inspire viewers not only to survive but to thrive, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.”

Dr Ami Shah, co-founder of Rang De Neela, said, “The exhibition is a must-see for art lovers, individuals and families struggling with a health condition, and even the general public. Eventually, the exhibits will find a permanent home in a Museum of Healing. This exhibition will highlight the importance of art in healing and well-being.”

Rang De Neela’s past initiatives include Rural Art Workshops, the Music for Health Concert, the Walk of Confidence show, and Puppetry for Health Education.