Art therapy for cancer patients: the magic of mandala making – it relieves pain and stress
- Art therapy is increasingly being used around the world to complement cancer treatments as part of a wellness programme
- A Hong Kong cancer support organisation is offering three-day mandala making workshops and the artworks are going on display at an exhibition
Gera Kwong Ka-lai, a receptionist at a Hong Kong security company, had never picked up a paintbrush or shown any interest in creative arts – until she discovered she had cancer.
“I was the first one in the family to have cancer, so I didn’t know how to handle it or face this problem,” Kwong said.
Established in 1987, HKCF, the city’s largest cancer support organisation, offers information and professional services for people dealing with cancer. Its comprehensive wellness programme includes 60 free daily and weekly activities such as yoga, meditation, qigong, arts healing and more. Mandala art was added to the mix six years ago. “Mandala” means “sacred circle” in Sanskrit. Mandala art often has geometric patterns with a circular shape around a central point, representing the connectivity and continuity of life.
Kwong, now aged 56, underwent an operation, radiation and chemotherapy. At the HKCF support centre in Kwai Chung a day after a chemo session, she learned about the mandala art workshop and promptly signed up.
