Venezuelan artist uses colour therapy in paintings designed to induce positive emotions

Abu Dhabi: While going through repetitive surgery and being probed and tested, Venezuelan artist Wilma Burton found comfort in a single piece of art designed to soothe patients and ease their suffering.

The moment she laid eyes on the painting, Wilma knew what she would spend the rest of her life doing: launching a series of creations which use colour therapy to trigger positive psychological feelings in individuals regardless of their health condition.

“When I was connected to that machine for my Computerised Tomography (CT) scan 10 years ago, I remember how scared I was. Then I noticed the hospital had a mural of a beautiful bugambilia plant, I put my mind into it to forget about the stress and intimidation I was feeling,” Wilma told Gulf News.

“So I started focusing on it and that transported me to a nice moment in nature. Since I have been painting when I was eight years-old, I realised this is what I want to do, I want to help others,” she added.

During that time, Wilma was staying in the United States where she recalled healing art was not very popular as not all medical facilities could afford to integrate it within their premises.

“I am the only one so far in Abu Dhabi that is doing this type of art. There isn’t actually a science behind it, it is just something that is present. Similar to the way that an interior designer sets up rooms to make visitors feel happy or relaxed, and the way individuals listen to slow music to feel calm or high-tempo rhythms to feel upbeat, this is the way my art works,” she explained.

Wilma was speaking during her exhibition at the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan in the capital which will run until December 4 in the hotel’s atrium.

The long-time artist uses acrylic paints with blue, green, orange and red undertones to tap into certain emotions in those who view her work. For children, she relies on glitter and common themes in nature such as butterflies and peacocks which resemble a positive transformation.

“Neurologists have proven that such methods work in lowering people’s blood pressure, making patients stay in hospitals for a longer period of time, among other things,” she said.

The series of paintings is available for sale to the public.