Forum discusses the healing power of fine arts

A group of teenage girls dances on a long scroll of white paper. They jump, turn around, raise a large red balloon, and invite members of the audience to join them in writing graffiti on the paper. The performance, given between the paintings and sculptures of designer-turned-artist Jia Wei, opened a forum on the therapeutic power of art.

The discussions were held on the last day of Jia’s solo exhibition at the Times Art Museum, where he ushered people into a colorful, playful world where Ruhua, a little girl and the subject of Jia’s art, lives.

The forum was attended by professionals from education, charity foundations, and creative and healthcare industries who shared perspectives on how the fine arts and associated fields can benefit people’s well-being.