Paintings by patients of the Psychiatry Department at Barzilai Medical Center

 One common theory to explain the appearance of severe mental disorders is linguistic damage (speech). This violation leads to mood disorders as well as false thoughts, the language of the patients is metaphoric and monotones and as such it is similar to poetic language. Using such language not under agreement creates distance and alienation of society's attitude towards mental patients.  

The non-verbal language of painting enables consensual reconnection, a dialogue and commentary between the artist (psychotic and non-psychotic) and the viewer. Thus, the viewer does not need to defend himself and is able to participate in the experience colored with the colors of his or hers dreams.   

A wonderful exhibition of paintings and drawings was opened on 6.9.2010 in the Psychiatry Department at Barzilai Medical Center headed by Prof.  Gabriel Schreiber. The paintings were all made by current and former patients of the department. The exhibition was organized in cooperation with Mrs. Tzipi Golan Director of the School of the Arts in Ashkelon, the artist Sefi  Schwartz, and the nonprofit associations Enosh and Gvanim. 

On the opening ceremony spoke painters who are patients of the Mental Health Service, the Director of the School of the Arts and the Director of the Psychiatry Department at Barzilai Medical Center Prof. Gabriel Schreiber. The artistic program included music wonderfully played by the student Yoav Jacobson.