Reduce workplace stress by escaping the office through art

New research shows that art in the workplace improves mental fatigue, suggesting a valuable commercial opportunity for artists.

7 Oct 2019 12:00

Gina Fairley

Visual Arts

Vincent van Gogh, Wheat Field with Cypresses (detail). Image via Wikimedia.

New research shows that viewing a landscape painting for brief periods – one to five minutes – can cut stress and fatigue levels in the workplace by up to 40%.

University of South Australia PhD candidate Bridgette Minuzzo has been studying the impact of landscape paintings on office workers and students in windowless spaces.

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

Join Now Login

Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Instagram: fairleygina