The ART of Self-Care
How long did it take for “self care” to become the two word phrase it is today? It certainly wasn’t a common descriptor in the 1990s or even 2000s when we had no idea we were dehydrated. But sometime in the last decade self care became not only a common term but a powerhouse of understanding that includes everything from facials to teas.
In this endless quest for ways to care for every aspect of ourselves, art appreciation has become a valuable resource. If you’ve experienced first hand the rush of viewing a work of art that can only be described as soul stirring, then you may not need scientific data to back your knowledge, but recent scientific studies do in fact provide interesting evidence to support the feeling that the emotional response to viewing art is actually beneficial to one's health.
A first-of-its-kind study launched by Art Fund (the UK’s national charity for museums and galleries) provides the most compelling scientific evidence to date that viewing art has immediate, measurable benefits for our health and wellbeing.
The 2025 study in London measured the physiological responses of participants while viewing masterpieces by world-renowned artists including Manet, Van Gogh and Gauguin in a gallery. In short, the research found that art activates the immune, endocrine (hormone), and autonomic nervous systems all at once – something never previously recorded.
Explaining why this information is important Dr. Tony Woods, researcher at Kings College London said:
“Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression. The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.”
We asked Mat Duncan, Senior Curator of MUSC’s Arts in Healing why the investment in art is an important part of MUSC’s commitment to providing services designed to support emotional, mental, and physical well-being through the arts.
MUSC has the largest collection of artworks by South Carolina artists in the state. The artwork is curated with the goal of transforming the healthcare environment into bright spaces that create dialogue, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote health and healing of our community. Duncan states, “Arts in Healing is dedicated to integrating the visual arts into MUSC healthcare environments through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, site-responsive commissions, and partnerships with regional artists.”
The work of Diane Kilgore Condon is featured in the Wickliffe House on the MUSC campus (shown here). Duncan shares that the work brings a quiet attentiveness to place, memory and material. He adds, “Installed within a space that bridges MUSC’s past and present, Kilgore Condon’s work contributes to an environment that honors history while supporting the ongoing mission of care, learning, and healing.”
Other Art & Light artists featured in other various MUSC locations:
The transformative and nurturing power of art is clearly demonstrated by its ability to foster quiet attentiveness in a space dedicated to healing. As our understanding of self care evolves to consider a holistic approach to wellness it seems a natural progression to consider artwork within the spaces we inhabit integral to our overall health.
At Art & Light we know first hand how art can transform a space and infuse it with energy, so stop by or reach out to let us help you.
Check out our client installations and even corporate and healthcare installations for inspiration.