Woodhull Healing Mural

  • This mural serves to create a more comfortable space for the children entering the pediatric ward at Woodhull Hospital.
  • The sketch drawn before painting the large mural shows how colorful the finished product will be.
  • The Woodhull Healing mural is shown here just before it is installed in the renovated pediatric ward.
  • The left panel shows several animals waving goodbye and hello, as well as a lion cub with his dad.
  • Lead artist Joe Matunis stands with the mural he and the youth team painted.
  • Stars, polka dots, stripes, and circles: all of these patterns create energy in the mural.

Project Description

Lead Artist Joe Matunis and his student muralists from El Puente Academy worked with Woodhull doctors, staff, and patients to design and paint a mural to make children more comfortable during their hospital stay. The mural transforms the medical process into a fanciful fable to help children encountering it for the first time. It features animals such as frogs, rabbits, and elephants walking around and performing the activities which happen each day at the hospital. For example, the process of having a broken bone cast, a particularly frightening procedure for a child, is shown in a friendly and comforting style to help ease the nervousness of a doctor’s visit. The whimsy of the piece takes influence from children’s books, which are always filled with bright colors, fun shapes, and funny animals. The panels are installed permanently at Woodhull's renovated pediatric ward.

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Project Info

Location: 760 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11206
Neighborhood: 
Bedford-Stuyvesant


Program: 
Community Commission


Theme: 
Health and Wellness


Year: 
2002


Partner(s): 
Woodhull Medical Center


Lead Artist(s):
Joe Matunis


Participants: 

 

Students at El Puente Academcy
Medium: 
Acrylic on Panel


Dimensions: 8 x 16ft

Fun Facts

Fun Fact
The name of Woodhull Hospital resulted from a local school essay contest. The winner traced the original owner of the land to Richard M. Woodhull and won $25.00 for his essay.
Legend Symbol
The elephant. In many cultures, elephants are symbols of wisdom and memory. With those characteristics, they would make great doctors, just like in the mural!
Question about the Mural
How many different kinds of animals can you find in the mural?