Two artworks created by patients and staff at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) have won prizes at this year’s Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival art space competition.

The winning pieces, titled Scaley and Mattie, were created by hundreds of mental health patients over the past 18 months as part of their rehabilitation and therapy.

Tracey Myles, Consumer Consultant at the Top End Mental Health Service, said the pieces were a collaborative effort and aimed to assist patients throughout the recovery process.

“The Activity Centre in our mental health inpatient facility provides our patients with a variety of activities to assist in their recovery and provides them with an opportunity for them to create and learn new skills,” she said.

 “Art therapy has been used as a part of recovery in mental health for many years and activities such puzzles, weaving and painting can assist in reducing stress.

“These artworks are an example of how patients can express themselves through art and allow themselves a break from racing or intrusive thoughts while focussing on the task at hand.

“We also find that conversations are often initiated about the task, that then lead into further conversations which assist greatly in the recovery process.”

Scaley is a large one metre barramundi made of chicken wire and papier mache and Mattie is an intricate woven matt made from donated fabric.  Both pieces represent life events, milestones, revelation, tears and words of strength

Scaley was the stand out item in the 3D Category taking out the $250 first prize and Mattie won second prize in the Recycled Category worth $50.          

The cash prizes will be used to purchase new equipment and activities for the centre and will benefit consumers for years to come.                                      

The Top End Health Service Mental Health Inpatient Unit is an acute care facility providing 24 hour care to people with a mental illness or mental disturbance in the Top End. 

Top End Mental Health Service provides care and treatment to the population of the Top End of the Northern Territory.  The Activity Centre is located within Cowdy ward and offers creative activities to inpatients as well as a gym, movies and a massage chair.    

Media contact: Rickie Abraham 0419 818 414