This narrative medicine encounter invites participants to engage in close reading—not of traditional texts, but of artefacts created by healthcare workers in Singapore. These works emerged from the “VESSELS” initiative – a meaningful art therapy intervention featuring workshops and an exhibition for healthcare professionals in the Department of Neonatology at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. Supported by the SingHealth Duke-NUS Medical Humanities Institute, this creative project fostered personal growth and team cohesion among department staff. Through creating with clay, participants explored the complexities of healing, resilience, self-identity, and human connection.

Participants will explore these visual artefacts and accompanying narratives as “texts” for close reading, reflection, and response—hallmarks of the Narrative Medicine approach. This encounter departs from Western medical literature to foreground culturally grounded, emotionally charged expressions from our own healthcare landscape.

Through guided prompts and self-paced reflection—or through an optional facilitated taster session—visitors are invited to witness, interpret, and respond creatively. This is an opportunity not only to honour the stories of local clinicians, but also to experience the power of narrative medicine as a tool for meaning-making, empathy, and healing.

Tour information

Join us for a guided walkthrough of the VESSELS exhibition, followed by a reflective, arts-based session guided by principles of narrative medicine. This experience invites participants to explore the human stories behind illness, care, and recovery through creative and meaning-making lenses. No prior artistic or narrative medicine experience is required.

Limited to 10 participants per session.

The VESSELS exhibit will be open throughout the Conference for self-guided experiences.

Session Details

Facilitators

Enjoy a selection of Singaporean texts on health, sickness, and the medical humanities specially curated and presented by Singapore Book Council and Ethos Books Singapore. Many of these works will have ties to breakout sessions in the conference, such as the 'Singapore Writers Roundtable on Health & Sickness' and 'The Sound of SCH Special Writer's Feature'. Attendants may gain exposure to Singaporean Literature as it pertains to the Medical Humanities and pick up a reading list of possible books to look into.

Our friendly booth representatives are happy to chat about these meaningful works that bridge literature and medicine.

Friday, 17 October 2025 | Singapore Book Council

The Singapore Book Council (SBC) is an independent charity with IPC status. Established in 1968, as the former National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS), SBC aims to Power Our Imagination by developing creativity, imagination, original thought, and empathy. Our programmes focus on creative writing, reading, illustration, translation and storytelling.

Saturday, 18 October 2025 | Ethos Books Singapore 

Established in 1997, Ethos Books, an imprint of Pagesetters Services Pte Ltd, creates fresh, different and enduring books that reflect the ethos of our changing times. We are an independent Singapore publisher of literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Giving voice to emerging and exciting writers from diverse backgrounds, we help foster an environment in which literature and the arts not only survive, but thrive. In short, we nurture the growing literary community in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

*Note: This literary showcase is designed for browsing and engagement purposes only, on-site sales will not be available.

Location: Annex, outside of the NAK Auditorium

Time: Available during all Conference breaks