Arts Program

Integrating art into PCH creates a welcoming and stimulating environment for our patients, families and staff.

Perth Children’s Hospital has a collection of over 430 artworks and commissioned pieces on display throughout the hospital.

Image | Another Place, Sarah Toohey, 2012

The collection was established in 1985 at Princess Margaret Hospital with a focus on artwork that appeals to children and young people and contribute to their health and wellbeing. It aims to enrich the lives of those it surrounds, reflect the cultural interests of the hospital, provide educational opportunities and build an identity for the hospital.

There were eight significant artworks commissioned through the WA Government’s Percent for Art Scheme for the new hospital opening in 2018.

Image | Fizz by Stuart Green, 2015

A new external mural was commissioned in 2020 for Ward 1A providing a more positive outlook for the Oncology patients. The 100m long mural was painted by artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers and has an accompanying activity booklet for patients. Download the activity book from the ‘Day Dreaming’ mural (PDF 3.2MB) outside Ward 1A.

Image | Day Dreaming mural, Kyle Ogden-Hughes, 2020

Story About a Billabong, 1990 by Joyce Gumbarraway

CAHS is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people and their families. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the oldest living culture, with a distinct history and heritage and enormous diversity in language, art and stories.

Providing Aboriginal artworks at Perth Children’s Hospital brings a sense of pride in Aboriginal culture and a connection to Country, whilst providing comfort to our Aboriginal patients and families. There are over 50 Aboriginal artworks on display throughout the hospital, located in public and clinical spaces, as well as corporate areas.

Staff, patients, families and visitors are encouraged to discover the many Aboriginal artworks on display at the hospital as an opportunity to celebrate and understand Aboriginal culture.

Download the Aboriginal artworks tour flyer (PDF 2.3MB) and take the virtual tour.

The Artist in Residence program provides opportunities for patients to participate in creative activities that support their health and wellbeing.

Visual and performing artists take up residency at PCH over several months to deliver creative workshops activities to patients and families.

The program is funded by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and presented in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health (SSEN:MMH) and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

The program aims to make a child or parent’s stay in hospital more comfortable, while also providing moments of fun and distraction for patients, siblings and parents who spend significant amounts of time in hospital.

The artists work with patients through bedside visits, in classrooms, waiting areas and in Fun on Four to provide a wide range of activities including animation, printmaking, sculpture, collage, painting, photography, textiles, storytelling, singing, music and dance.

Current Artist in Residence projects

Mandala and Meditation by Soul Shine Creatives

The Mandala and Meditation program offers a unique creative experience for teens, combining art and mindfulness to support mental and emotional well-being.

This engaging session allows participants to explore the ancient practice of mandala creation, with no prior art experience needed.

Step-by-step guidance helps teens express themselves through vibrant designs while learning mindfulness techniques to calm the mind and promote self-connection.

Each session begins with icebreakers to foster a fun and safe environment, followed by simple mindfulness exercises and non-attachment activities.

Over the term, teens will develop a toolkit of practices to help navigate daily life with ease and presence.

The focus isn’t on creating a perfect artwork but on the process itself, offering a therapeutic space where teens can relax, create, and reflect.

Using shapes, patterns, and colours, participants create a mandala to take home, while cultivating mindfulness through each step.

To find out more about Soul Shine Creatives, please visit their website. 

Noongar Digital Collaboration with artists Kevin Bynder and Steven Aiton

The *Noongar Digital Collaboration* brings together local Noongar artist Kevin Bynder and renowned animator Steven Aiton to create a unique fusion of traditional storytelling and digital art.

The program invites children and families at Perth Children's Hospital to participate in a collaborative claymation project that brings to life the story of the Six Noongar Seasons.

Participants work alongside Bynder and Aiton to create individual components of a collaborative artwork that combines painting and animation.

The artists draw from their different artistic practices to facilitate a range of workshops, providing an opportunity to share cultural stories and deepen the learning experience.

The project aims to foster cultural awareness and offers an interactive way for children and families to connect with Noongar storytelling tradition.

Puppetry and Performance Workshops with Di Filippo Marionette

Di Filippo Marionette, an internationally renowned puppet troupe, are hosting a workshop titled "Watch Me Move Like a Marionette".

This immersive, hands-on experience is designed to engage children, families and staff in the fascinating art of puppetry.

It’s a great chance for children and families to learn the intricacies of marionette movement and bring these enchanting characters to life.

This program offers a wonderful opportunity to enhance creative expression and provide a fun, engaging activity for children.

Past Artist in Residence projects

• 2024 Kevin Bynder and Steven Aiton, Artist Collaboration
• 2024 Mandala and Meditation Program
• 2021 Maxxi May, Mix Tape (take a look at the patient's gallery here!)
• 2020 Sharyn Egan, Yarning
• 2019-21 Steven Aiton, Stop Motion Animations
• 2018 Kate Page, Project Sing
• 2017 Hayley Bahr, Migrating Masterpieces
• 2017 Kaleidoscope Ensemble
• 2017 HUSH Composer in Residence
• 2016 Mikaela Castledine
• 2016 Lucinda Crimson
• 2014 Steven Aiton, Stop Motion Animations
• 2014 Bentley Adolescent AIR program

Photo and video gallery

Image | Maxxi May running her AIR workshops with kids at PCH and Hayley Bahr's illustrations on the corridors at Princess Margaret Hospital

Image | Steve Aiton taking his animations to kids in hospital and Yarning with Sharyn Egan

Image | (L) Lucinda Crimson and (R) Maxxi May running their AIR workshops

AiR Claymation 2020

AiR Claymation 2021

Arts Activity Kits

During 2022, two specially designed Arts Activity Kits were provided to patients at PCH to create their own artworks with all the materials and inspiration to make:

• Creative Critters using Air Dry Clay
• Washi Tape Treasure Box

The original artwork and activity design was created by Maxxi Minaxi May.

The PCH Arts Program is managed by CAHS and delivered in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health with funding provided by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.