Art as a beacon of hope: Beate Braun celebrates an impressive anniversary!

Art as a beacon of hope: Beate Braun celebrates an impressive anniversary!

The dental clinic at the University of Witten/Herdecke (UW/H) is currently presenting the exhibition “Light to Breathe”, which honors Beate Braun's 30 years of artistic work. This exhibition, which can be seen until June 12, 2025 at the ZBZ Witten, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 45, offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves deeply in the diversity and emotions of the works. The artist's turnover and creativity are reflected in her works, which invite you to explore the themes of light and darkness, color and feeling more intensively.

Beate Braun, who began her artistic career with the aim of giving people hope, conveys a strong message through her breathtaking colors and breathing images. The exhibition particularly emphasizes the central role of light, which symbolizes hope and vitality. “Light to Breathe” is more than just a title; it is an invitation to mindfulness and listening, which is particularly important in today's fast-moving times.

Women's roles and social issues

A fundamental element in Braun's work is the depiction of female figures. These underline her view of the role of women in society and art. Her works act as powerful statements for visibility, diversity and the complex aspects of being an artist. Prof. Dr. Stefan Zimmer, medical director of the university dental clinic, also sees the exhibition as having a positive influence on patients by bringing artistic expression into the room and thus contributing to healing.

The WHO also states that art can play an important role in healthcare. A recent report shows how art can help fight noncommunicable diseases, which cause 90% of all deaths in Europe. Loud WHO Creative approaches can have remarkable effects on well-being and are drawing more and more healthcare professionals' attention to this. While art may not cure illness, it does help create a sense of meaning and connection.

Creativity-enhancing courses

In addition to the exhibition, Beate Braun also offers various courses and workshops to promote the creativity of the participants. This includes a painting course for young people and adults, which takes place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drawing on the experiences that art brings to therapeutic work with patients, taster courses such as “Stress goodbye! – The Art of Breathing” were also created to illustrate the influence of art on mental well-being.

Healthcare facilities worldwide, such as Madrid salute and in Hungary, use art offerings to raise awareness of health issues and to support healing methods. These projects demonstrate the positive interaction between art and health and show how important it is to recognize art as an integral part of therapy.

The “Light to Breathe” exhibition and Beate Braun’s commitment to art are clear examples of how creativity and healing can go hand in hand. The concept of seeing art not just as an end in itself, but as a meaningful means of supporting health is becoming increasingly important.

The invitation to explore these impressive works is also an invitation to discover the healing power of art and to promote well-being - both individually and in society.