The annual Arts Showcase titled “People First”, co-hosted by the Association of Rehabilitation of Dependencies of Macau (ARTM) and Rui Cunha Foundation (FRC), started on Tuesday and runs through tomorrow at the FRC Gallery, where more than 60 paintings and ceramics created by about 30 patients recovering from drug addiction at ARTM’s Ka Ho Integrated Services Centre are displayed.
ARTM is a local drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation organisation targeting individuals seeking a treatment goal of abstinence, opioid reduction and other addictions. Its services adopt the application of the Therapeutic Community model of treatment, i.e., a treatment environment where patients are encouraged to get help while helping others, thus able to play the dual role of client-therapist, according to a statement released by the foundation on Tuesday.
The statement pointed out that in recent years arts have become an essential component in the application of the Therapeutic Community, through a wide range of activities and techniques, with a view to “promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing of patients, allowing their growth throughout the process of individual change.”
The statement also noted that the Arts Showcase was first launched in 2020 and has since then become an annual event.
The paintings on display involve a wide variety of styles and mediums such as fresco, tempera, acrylics and oils, with multiple different themes including abstract portraits and depiction of flowers.
According to introductory remarks on the ARTM website, the exhibition’s motto “People First” was inspired by the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking campaign, celebrated every June 26 since 1987, under the title “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention”. “When the focus is only on the problem, we forget that each patient is a living-being, has a family, and has a community,” the website said.
Expressive arts a key to patients’ therapeutic process: Nogueira
The statement noted that Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was officiated by ARTM Executive Director Augusto Nogueira, FRC Founding President Rui Cunha, as well as officials of the Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Department and various local veteran artists.
According to a report by the Portuguese-language TV channel of public broadcaster TDM, Nogueira said that each piece of artwork created by the patients reflect their mental conditions and how they perceive themselves and the world. He noted that for people in recovery, especially from mental health problems, engaging with arts was an important part of the therapeutic process, as it allows them to deeply explore and express themselves, while at the same time obtaining a sense of fulfilment. He added that the association would continue to explore innovative methods to apply expressive arts into therapy.
The FRC Gallery is located at 749 Avenida da Praia Grande. It opens Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free.
This photo shows one of the paintings displayed at the ARTM’s “People First” annual Arts Showcase at the Rui Cunha Foundation Gallery.
– Photo: Gabriel Tam
This handout photo by the Rui Cunha Foundation shows a visitor looking at the exhibits displayed at the Rua Cunha Foundation Gallery.
