Kenny Scharf at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
Kenny Scharf at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
Kenny Scharf at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
Kenny Scharf at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
Kenny Scharf at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County

The children in the Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatric Units at Kings County Hospital use the same stairwell everyday to get to school.  Providing the children with Kenny Scharf’s iconic images to focus on as they transition from the Psychiatric Unit to their classrooms directly engages the patients in healthy distractions, lessening the discomfort and fear. Kenny Scharf’s images are an ideal match for city kids and are sprayed directly on to the walls just like he does on the city streets.

Kenny Scharf’s exuberant mural is filled with smiling butterflies, happy caterpillars, singing trees, lively birds and bright rainbows. Scharf has created a joyous world for the pediatric patients to enjoy as they walk back and forth from school  everyday.
Scharf affirms that his work at the hospital was difficult, but fulfilling. He states, “Its gratifying. These institutions are really depressing and when the kids came to look at the mural close up, they were so excited. It made me feel good”. This project was made possible through the generosity of Kiehl’s Since 1851.

Through this project, we hope to impact pediatric patient’s medical and behavioral outcomes by relying on the arts as a catalyst for positive physical and mental change.