Unlikely artist duo's bright poppies raise money for children's play therapy
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
As artist collaborations go, it's an unusual one. Adelaide is six years old and at the beginning of her career, while established artist Martin de Ruyter is a few decades older.
However, the pair are united by a common goal: to raise money for Nelson Hospital's play therapy service.
Artist and Nelson Mail photographer de Ruyter met Adelaide Ketel when he photographed the youngster during her cancer treatment.
Knowing Adelaide's penchant for art, de Ruyter hit upon a fundraiser centred around the poppies he makes from brass bullet cases.
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De Ruyter's trench art jewellery, reminiscent of the trinkets soldiers made in the trenches during World War I, is sold in galleries around the South Island and Australia.
Adelaide liked the idea, choosing the play therapy service, a group of hospital-based play specialists who help ease the fears of children facing medical procedures.
Adelaide received chemotherapy at Nelson Hospital for more than two years after doctors discovered a tumour attached to her heart and lungs when she was a toddler.
Surgeons removed the tumour, along with two-thirds of her right lung. She still goes to the hospital for regular appointments and MRI scans to keep an eye on the remaining tumour.
Together, the artists worked to create 25 unique poppies, Adelaide coming up with a colour scheme, de Ruyter said.
'It's just kind of cool sitting around and her coming up with painting ideas, and copying her doing it.'
The first batch sold out in days, raising $500. Now, they've made another 60.
Before the play therapy service was available on the children's ward, getting Adelaide into hospital was stressful, Adelaide's mum Laurel Ketel said.
Now, ahead of a hospital visit, they talk about the fun things Adelaide can do before her scan.
'It gives her something positive to focus on. The ward is so much more vibrant, and it's so nice having an area filled with fun activities with kind play therapists to help Adelaide relax,' Ketel said.
Adelaide enjoyed the sessions, and learned a lot from de Ruyter, she said.
'He talks lots.
'Martin let me choose the colours and do it myself with very special paint that they use on planes.'
The poppies are $40 each, with $20 going to the play therapists to buy books and craft supplies. Each poppy comes with a handwritten note from Adelaide. You can order one from facebook.com/Adelaide.the.Brave