ARTIST'S STATEMENT
When I was younger, I was taught how to crochet by somebody who I care about very much. The interest lessened over the years, but as I have faced many struggles over recent years I’ve found crocheting to be a very effective coping tool. I crochet to keep my mind and body busy, while creating something meaningful that I know someone else will enjoy (E.g., a handbag, hat, stuffed animal).
I am also majoring in Psychology, where I’ve been able to gain a more well-rounded perspective about how certain behaviors can be beneficial to one’s mindset. Being on a pre-nursing track as well, I am eager to go into the medical field and use these learned skills to help those who are physically or mentall recovering.
In order to better-understand the effects that such an art form can have on patients, I have crocheted 12 stuffed animals for children in the pediatric unit of Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville MD. These stuffed animals reached the hospital through a no-contact delivery that was arranged with the head nurse on the unit. The staff at the hospital were very flexible and generous, as they agreed to fill out a short survey regarding changed emotions or sense of comfort in the children, if any at all.
Through my capstone project, I aim to address the following question: Can crochet products be used to create a more emotionally comforting environment for children who are physically recovering in a hospital setting?
My hope is that my products will increase comfort, therefore encouraging the children to emotionally process such stressful situations.
INFLUENCE
My artwork has many influences. My main influence is a group of fiber artists in New Jersey are able to utilize their resources to provide clothes and warm materials to homeless people (Hazan).
Pictured is artist Michelle Vitale, who is also who has worked closely with and donated over twenty blankets to a homeless shelter in Union City. The picture shows a crochet pocketbook that comes with a tarp she also made, so the multifunctional product could be used as a coat, blanket, or storage.
While my project is different than this one, acts of kindness like theirs is what inspires me to utilize my crocheting and art abilities and turn them into something that impacts the lives of others.
OTHER INFLUENCES
VISUAL
When making any form of art, a visual appeal typically plays a vital role in conveying the creator's message. My project is specifically aimed at children who may not be in a mental state to effectively process my art in a way deeper than what appears on the surface. Because of this, I made sure to put as much effort as I could into incorporating "eye-catching" colors that have been proven to have effects on an individuals mental state (Boyatzis 1994). Some of these colors include yellow, pink, blue, and lavender. My hope is that these colors will at least distract the patients, if not create a more substantial effect on their moods.
MENTAL WELLBEING
A major goal of my project is to increase the comfort level of patients in order to promote their emotional wellbeing. In doing so, I wanted to gain a well-rounded perspective on ways that crochet products can specifically address this concept, whether it be on the end of the giver or the receiver. I found that crochet as an art form can help with grief, chronic illness, and pain (Burns & Meer 2020). The same research also supported the fact that giving crochet items to others is a way to promote positive wellbeing for the general population. Not only do I address the mental health benefits of the "giver" through the promotion of crocheting in the informational slips I gave out (shown below), but I also addressed the "receiver" benefits of crochet through other parts of my project. I researched the positive outcomes that receiving an item can have on an individual (Orloff 2015), which is further talked about in my research portion of this website.
