What is therapy through art




What is art? The products of human creativity. (wordnet.princeton.edu) Art can be said to be – and can be used as – the externalized map of our interior self. (No More Second Hand Art - Peter London) Quotes by Famous Artist: “I dream my painting and then I paint my dream.” -Vincent van Gogh “We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realise the truth.” - Pablo Picasso “A man paints with his brains and not with his hands.” - Michelangelo What is creativity? Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. Creativity is fueled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight. (en.wikipedia.org) WHAT IS ART THERAPY? The handbook of Art therapy by Caroline Case and Tessa Dalley 1992 define art therapy as follows: “Art therapy involves the use of different art media(painting, drawing ,murals, sculpting as well as some forms of crafting - mosaic, beading, cement crafting, wood art, scrap booking) through which a patient can express and work through the issues and concerns that have bought them into therapy. The therapist and the client are in partnership in trying to understand the art process and the product of the session. For many clients it’s easier to relate to the therapist through the art object , which forms a point of discussion, analysis and self-evaluation. These sessions can be individual or in a group.” "Advocates of art psychotherapy believe that artwork is most useful when used as a tool to elicit feelings, fears and fantasies which can then be worked through in traditional talk therapy. Art therapy is a special tool that can help provide access to those hidden feelings that contain the key to our struggles. The theory behind art therapy is based partially on the fact that creativity and healing may come from the same place.” (Art Therapy: How Creative Expression Can Heal - Barbara William) “Art therapy asks you to explore your inner experience – your feelings, perceptions and imaginations. Whilst art therapy may involve learning skills or art techniques, the emphasis is generally first on developing and expressing images that come from inside the person, rather than those he or she sees in the outside world. Some traditional art classes may ask you to paint or draw from your imagination. In art therapy your inner world of images, feelings, thoughts and ideas is consistently important and primary to the experience. In Art therapy the creative process of art making is the healing power. This process is therapeutic. Art therapy is based on the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication.” (The Art Therapy Sourcebook - Cathy Malchiodi) Creating a product A common misconception about art therapy is that you need to have artistic talent to benefit from it. Remember my slogan: "NO SKILLS, NO AGE, REQUIRED - ONLY PARTICIPATION” Everybody has the ability to be creative through art. The philosophy of art therapy embraces the idea that all art expressions are acceptable. Although the creative process and symbolic communication are two fundamental aspects of art therapy, there are several different aspects of the art therapy process that can be considered therapeutic. In its simplest sense, art making is an activity that can generate self-esteem, encourage risk taking and experimentation, teach new skills, and enrich one’s life. While this dimension of art therapy may seems like mere recreation, the process of creativity – making something with one’s hands and realizing that one can make something unique – is a powerful experience with undeniable therapeutic benefits. There is something personally meaningful and authentic about creating with one’s hands and one’s imagination. Making art touches many different parts of ourselves. It may evoke positive past experiences of drawing or painting as a child or a sense of pride and accomplishment in forming a clay sculpture or arranging images to make a collage.” (The Art Therapy Sourcebook - Cathy Malchiodi) Craft therapy Not so intimidating as art therapy. Craft mediums as mosaic, woodcraft, cementcraft, beading, wirecraft, refurbish furniture, pewter, decopage, scrapbooking. Take all the mediums, put them together and create a craft product that you can mix with artwork. Same principles.