Art therapy shines a light through the difficult times of diagnosis

HONG KONG — In a gallery nestled high above the bustling streets of Hong Kong's Wan Chai district, a collection of vibrant paintings and delicate ceramics serves as evidence of resilience and hope.

This isn't just an art exhibition, it's proof of the transformative power of art therapy in the lives of cancer patients, like Ivy Ip, who found solace and strength through her creative endeavors amidst a relentless battle against ovarian cancer.

For most individuals confronting the emotional turmoil of cancer, a diagnosis is marked by fear, uncertainty and despair. However, Ivy Ip discovered a sanctuary in color and clay. The 45-year-old, now approaching her 46th birthday, has transformed her fight against Stage 4 ovarian cancer into a series of artistic expressions that not only document her personal journey but also serve as a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.

Featured on the exhibition poster for Life is Beautiful: An Exhibition by Ivy Ip, organized by the Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF) in mid-April, are Ip's own words: "My works might not rival those hanging in museums, but they have been my companions through the darkest times, transforming my experiences into colors that soothe my soul." The exhibition, which attracted hundreds of visitors in just one week, showcased her journey from despair to empowerment through art.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, Ip's life took an unexpected turn. Surgeries, chemotherapy, relapses and drug resistance became her new reality. Yet, amidst the medical jargon and endless treatments, She found solace in the HKCF's art therapy program. There, under the guidance of registered art therapist Hoi Lam, she rediscovered her childhood passion for painting, transforming her inner turmoil into vivid canvases.

One of Ip's most striking pieces Carefree Me depicts a serene landscape of blue skies and lush green fields, that embodies a sense of freedom and calm despite the unknown future. "It's like telling the world that even when clouds block the sun, there's always light within," Ip explains.

Her Four Seasons series, a personal tribute to her journey, reflects the seasons of her life with cancer, from the hopeful beginning of spring to the quiet introspection of winter. In Autumn, a lone woolen hat drifts away amidst falling leaves, revealing her bald head, a poignant symbol of her battle. Winter hints at unfulfilled travel dreams, hidden in its white expanse.

Art therapy, which gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II, has become an integral part of rehabilitation and mental health care worldwide. The World Health Organization's cancer control guidelines recognize its effectiveness as a psychosocial support tool.

For Ip and fellow participants in Hoi Lam's Inner Beauty art therapy group, art became a means to confront their changed bodies and emotional landscapes. "Art therapy isn't just about creating; it's about expressing and understanding oneself," Hoi Lam says. "It allows patients to distance themselves from their traumatic experiences, making the intangible tangible and offering a space for healing."

Ip's journey is also intertwined with the personal experiences of her case manager, Tommy Liang, a cancer survivor himself since 2004. "My dual identity as a cancer survivor and caregiver helps me connect deeply with patients and their families," Tommy says. "It's a reciprocal healing process, we walk this path together."

Since launching its art therapy services in 2010, the HKCF has built a comprehensive support system encompassing individual, group, and family therapy. Collaborating with hospitals, corporations and community centers, the foundation aims to integrate art therapy into the public healthcare system. Nearly 1,700 individuals participated in HKCF's art therapy programs in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with many reporting significant improvements to their emotional well-being and psychological resilience.

Ip's exhibition is more than a display of her artistic talents; it's a window into the transformative impact of art therapy. In the battle against cancer, beyond pathology reports and CT scans, there's another language of healing: a painting, a poem, or a lump of clay given meaning. Each patient becomes the curator of their own life's exhibition.