'Art as therapy': A Filipina nurse finds inspiration in her patients to create meaningful art

Gale Hermano-Dy is a paediatric nurse and multidisciplinary artist based in Adelaide who balances caring for sick children with her deep passion for the arts. Through music, painting, photography, and makeup artistry, she transforms her experiences into meaningful creative expression, inspiring hope, healing, and resilience in others.

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Key Points

• Gale Hermano-Dy balances both nursing and the arts, seamlessly living out two passions.
• For her, art has become a powerful form of healing and self-expression.
• She encourages others not to let go of their passions, no matter how busy life becomes.
• After pursuing her passion for the arts, Gale released a new song and album.

Doing art is not an outlet anymore. It’s also part of how I take care of myself.

Gale Hermano-Dy, Adelaide-based nurse/multidisciplinary artist

At just four years old, paediatric nurse and multidisciplinary artist Gale Hermoso-Dy first discovered her voice, beginning a lifelong journey in music and creativity that would later shape both her career in healthcare and her passion for the arts. Photo Credit: Supplied

After becoming a nurse in the Philippines, she pursued her passion for makeup artistry, studying and refining her skills across the Philippines, Singapore, and Australia, building a creative journey that spans both healthcare and the arts. Photo Credit: Supplied

Do not abandon your creative side when life gets busy, especially when migrating, where you have to work for everything. It may not look the same or happen right away, but it is still worth pursuing. Find your community and support system, and be patient with yourself, because adjusting to a new country is a big leap of faith.

Gale Hermano-Dy, Adelaide-based nurse/multidisciplinary artist

According to nurse Gale Hermano-Dy, her work in makeup artistry became highly lucrative, to the point that she eventually stopped working as a nurse in the Philippines to focus on her growing creative career. Photo Credit: Supplied

According to Gale Hermano-Dy, her talent in music is a legacy from her mother and late father, which she continues to pursue in Australia to inspire others. Photo Credit: Supplied

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