Hospitalization revealed as art project

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The head of a Swedish hospital's psychiatric ward has blasted a woman who pretended to suffer from a psychiatric condition for an art project.

Dr. David Eberhard, chief physician of the psychiatric ward at St. Goran's Hosptial in Stockholm, offered a sharp rebuke to Anna Odell, 35, after it was revealed that her attempt to jump off of a bridge and subsequent hospitalization were arranged as part of an art project, The Local reported Friday.

"Her installation is in the same league as those paintings of crying children or blackcocks (grouse) at play," Eberhard said of the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design student. "She and the head of the school ought to cut their hair and get a real job."

Hospital staff said Odell was brought to the facility by police after attempting to jump from a bridge and spit in the faces of several nurses while screaming at workers. Odell later revealed that her suicide attempt was a ruse to get her into the hospital as part of a school-sanctioned art project scheduled for completion in May.

"It's not only cheeky that she used society's resources, what she also did to other patients, the staff -- to everyone -- is shameless," Eberhard said.