On show, wildlife drawings that helped Edwyn Collins recover

Drawings made by singer Edwyn Collins as part of his recovery from a life-threatening brain haemorrhage are to go on show.

The series of delicate line drawings of birds by the former Orange Juice frontman, who had a solo hit with A Girl Like You, will be displayed as part of the Hospital Arts programme at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital next month.

Collins, 50, suffered a stroke in 2005 and spent six months in the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead.

Learning to draw again was part of a rehabilitation programme designed to overcome weakness in his right side and problems with speech — and in the process he rediscovered a childhood love of art and ornithology.

For the past four years he has drawn a bird every day, titled and dated in a series that maps his return to health.

Collins said: "Drawing was the first skill to come back to me after my brain haemorrhage and this meant a great deal, as drawing has always been a passion.

"I am left to my own devices when I draw. I am in a world of my own. In fact, I believe that my real recovery began with my first bird drawing."

Katherine Mellor, arts manager at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, said the drawings would connect with all visitors.

She added: "The arts play an important part in Chelsea and Westminster's holistic philosophy of healthcare.

Research has proven that visual and performing arts in a healing environment has immense value in terms of patient wellbeing, faster recovery and decrease in stress and anxiety.

"Edwyn's exhibition sits perfectly with the ethos of Hospital Arts, and it is wonderful to be able to show the work that has aided his recovery over the last four years.

"I hope this exhibition will be an inspiration to patients and their visitors."

The exhibition will be in the first floor gallery of the hospital from 15 January.