PAST EXHIBITION
September 2021 — May 2022
Arts, Mindfulness & The Ageing Brain
MAELab Exhibition 01
Where it all began — exploring the art and science of keeping the mind sharp as we age.
About the Exhibition
MAELab opened its doors in September 2021 with its inaugural exhibition — a meditation on the ageing mind and the surprising power of arts and mindfulness to protect it.
Arts, Mindfulness & The Ageing Brain was born directly from MSC’s research. Findings from the Jurong Ageing Study had shown something remarkable: that non-drug, community-based interventions — art therapy, music reminiscence, mindfulness practice, horticultural therapy — could significantly improve cognitive function and reduce depression in older adults. These were not soft activities. They were evidence-based interventions with measurable neurological effects.
The exhibition brought those findings out of academic journals and into the hands, eyes, and senses of the public. It invited visitors to experience for themselves what the science had already confirmed: that creativity, contemplation, and community are among the most powerful tools we have for sustaining the mind as we age.
INSIDE THE EXHIBITION
The Ageing Brain
What actually happens to the brain as we age — and what can we do about it? This foundational section translates neuroscience into visual, accessible language, explaining the difference between normal cognitive ageing and the early markers of decline.
Art as Medicine
Drawing directly on JAS findings, this installation explores how regular engagement with visual art, music, and creative expression activates neural pathways, improves mood, and builds cognitive reserve in older adults.
Mindful Awareness Practice
A serene, immersive space introducing the science and practice of mindfulness — and its documented effects on stress reduction, attention, and emotional regulation in ageing populations.
Growing Resilience
Inspired by MSC’s horticultural therapy research, this section explores the therapeutic power of plants, gardens, and our connection to the natural world — and how they translate into cognitive and emotional well-being.