Audrey Baldwin – The Art Chemist
“It might be that the person is just feeling low mood, or scattered and we then prescribe artworks that can help alleviate or even just process it. It’s playful. We’re not saying “go and see this when you’ve got a sore shoulder” – when we’re prescribing artworks, we are really listening.”
People in Ōtautahi know a thing or two about the importance of creativity when it comes to recovery and resilience, and Christchurch artist Audrey Baldwin also knows the value of art as a therapeutic aid.
In 2021, Audrey and her team of arts practitioners set up the Art Chemist project in a space in Cathedral Junction – dispensing a range of artistic cure-alls for ailments offered up by locals. More than 200 people made an appointment to see the Art Chemist and Audrey says the project was better than she had hoped for.
“With interactive art, it can be a big ask for an audience. People can be really shy about it. But fortunately people really loved this concept and once they were through the doors they were sold on it. What I was delighted by was the fact that so many people made a concerted effort to come to this, they didn’t just stumble across it by accident.”
‘Patients’ included families, students and other artists, as well as out of town visitors to the city. Each consultation was unique to the person and every prescription tailor made for the ailment.
“The art chemist works like this; you can come in and we will make you a custom made prescription after a conversation about what is troubling you. The ailment might be physical, psychological or even philosophical. It might be that the person is just feeling low mood, or scattered and we then prescribe artworks that can help alleviate or even just process it. It’s playful. Were’ not saying “go and see this when you’ve got a sore shoulder,” – when we’re prescribing artworks, we are really listening.”
The ‘patient’ then gets a prescribed an artwork in a custom made pill bottle with instructions on where to find the artwork. Audrey ensures that all the suggested medications are free, accessible and local.
“I had a conversation with a lady who works for the Covid helpline from Auckland. I thought she needed to take some time out – and there’s a video artwork at CAG that has little seal popping its head up from under the ice – it’s really cute and it seemed appropriate for some one who needed to come up for air.”
The concept of art on prescription has long been a subject that Audrey has found fascinating. A UK based programme that prescribed poetry was a success, but as far as Audrey knows her Art Chemist concept is a world first.
“Art as a salve and a balm has also resonated me. It draws on my previous things that I’ve done so it just seemed like a natural progression for me. I love creating something that’s familiar but slightly ‘off’. I truly believe the idea of the art chemist has greater application.”
Audrey is hopeful that her Art Chemist concept will eventually extend to schools, rest homes and other areas in society where exposure to art and creativity could help with mental health, loneliness or even alienation.
“A lot of people have said ‘I wish this was a permanent fixture’. It’s about pointing people in the direction of art or performance that may help them feel better or at least better understood. We also want to give people information on how they can access their own creativity, join groups or be part of the creative community. Christchurch is a perfect place for this concept as a pilot project because we’ve already proven we’re a community that comes together – post earthquake, post Covid – we’re at our best when we come together. Continuing that community cohesion is what I want to do with art chemist.”
The Art Chemist project was made possible by the Enliven Places Fund and the site at Cathedral Junction was brokered by Life in Vacant Spaces.