Art as care: visual culture, psychological support, and social intervention pathways in the context of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is not only a physiological condition requiring long-term medical intervention but also a complex public health issue embedded within social structures, psychological experiences and cultural contexts. Although the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has significantly extended the life expectancy of people living with HIV and improved outcomes, socially stigmatized perceptions, persistent psychological trauma and systemic social exclusion remain obstacles that limit the effectiveness of care, forming a "physiologically manageable, psychologically and socially intractable" care paradox. Drawing on an interdisciplinary perspective integrating art therapy, public health, sociology and cultural studies, this paper reviews the value, mechanisms, and practical paradigms of visual arts, participatory arts, and arts education in HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and social support systems. By examining multiple globally documented art intervention projects, the study explores the logic of art as a non-clinical intervention medium in emotional empowerment, meaning reconstruction, and social network building, demonstrating its central role in supplementing limitations of traditional medical and social work approaches and addressing stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Ultimately, the paper proposes an integrated "art-medical-social" care pathway, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for establishing a more inclusive and human-centered HIV/AIDS care system.