Why Going Slow is the Way to Go: Exploring the Mental Health Benefits of Slow Art

In today's fast-paced world, it is increasingly important to care for our mental health by finding moments of peace and tranquility. The disruptions and challenges arising from the global COVID-19 pandemic have made such actions all the more necessary. In support of this, National Gallery Singapore offers a series of Slow Art programmes that encourage visitors to slow down and interact with art in ways that actively enhance mental health.

Last year, our Slow Art programmes were thoughtfully incorporated into the Gallery's Slow Art Day celebrations that took place on 15 April 2023. Slow Art Day is a global event celebrated every year in April to encourage people to explore and appreciate art mindfully.

Key programmes of the day included:

• Slow Art Plus, an in-Gallery programme facilitated by a certified mindfulness teacher inspired by the principles of slow looking and mindfulness
• A Research Panel Discussion on Slow Art Plus that explored the impact of the programme on mental health and
• Slow Art Guide, a self-guided audio experience

There are three primary ways in which the programmes contribute to positive mental well-being:
 

1. Enhanced Mindfulness and Relaxation:

Slow Art Plus provided participants the opportunity to deeply observe an artwork with the guidance of a trained mindfulness practitioner, Dr Andy Ho (PhD, EdD, MFT, Head of Psychology, and Associate Professor of Psychology and Medicine at Nanyang Technological University). The facilitated observation exercises allow participants to slow down and engage with the artwork from different angles and perspectives. Together with the guided self-compassion exercises, participants were able to savour stillness and immerse themselves in the details of the selected artwork while experiencing a heightened state of mindfulness.

A participant from the Slow Art Plus Research described experiencing decreased physical tension, stating, “the stiffness in [her] shoulders reduced significantly” and that she “noticed [her] mind quietening” during the session. This is an example of how mindful engagement with art can reduce levels of perceived stress and anxiety by relaxing the body.

2. Social Engagement and Connection:

Further insights into the Slow Art Plus Research were discussed during the Slow Art Plus Research Panel Discussion, which brought together a diverse group of experts. The development of the Slow Art Plus programme and the Slow Art Plus Research Project were funded by Johnson & Johnson Foundation.

During the panel discussion, the principal researcher, Dr Andy Ho, shared his findings on the effectiveness of the programme in boosting mental health and emotional well-being. He was joined by panelists Wen Yi Tan from Johnson & Johnson Foundation and Alicia Teng from the Community and Access team at the Gallery, as well as moderator, Dr Felicia Low. This collaborative nature of Slow Art Plus cultivated a strong sense of community, connecting individuals from various backgrounds who shared a common curiosity about the effects of the programme on mental health. Furthermore, the active social engagement and thought-provoking questions during the panel discussion encouraged conversations among attendees, which built connections and a supportive atmosphere for exploration and learning.

3. Emotional Connection and Introspection:

The Slow Art Guide offers a self-guided audio experience, accompanied by carefully crafted reflection booklets. This allows individuals to explore the selected artworks at their own pace and contemplate the themes and emotions evoked by each piece. The reflective exercises in the booklet are designed to encourage introspection and personal expression, which contribute to a greater understanding of one’s emotions and thoughts. This, in turn, improves self-awareness and emotional regulation, positively impacting mental health.

In a society that often celebrates speed and productivity, it is good to remind ourselves that sometimes, going slow is truly the way to go—especially when it comes to nurturing our mental health.
 

Slow Art Day 2024

This year’s Slow Art Day will fall on 13 April 2024.

We will be presenting Slow Art X – an enhanced programme that has evolved from Slow Art Plus, which was developed based on feedback from the Slow Art Plus Research Project.

Register via our website and join us in celebrating the joy of looking at art mindfully!

See highlights from the 2023 edition of Slow Art Day below: