From the middle of the last century Art Therapy has emerged. Originally it was seen as having merely a therapeutic effect on mental health disorders, but as it has evolved it has been seen to not only have a healing effect on an individual but can shift the unconscious mind to the conscious by using art media as its main form of communication.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy with art media at its core. The amazing thing about art therapy is that images represent an alternative medium for communication and expression. Once an experience is externalized it becomes easier to talk about. Also for people who find it difficult to verbalize their feelings a visual image can assist in understanding a presenting problem.
Art therapy is playfulness and non judgmental. There are two forms of art therapy. Art AS therapy, where the process of creating art helps heal and art IN therapy which is verbal and about relating ones life to the art work created through discussion. Art therapy can take a client beyond word then back to words where our unconscious informs us through visual imagery how to move forward in the world.
Students created a Tree of Strength using pencil and watercolours. The Tree of Strength is a visual tool that allows students to identify external things that give strength and resilience – people and places that deliver stable roots, through to the growth of the trunk and finally into the opportunities of the future (branches and leaves).
Week 2. Fresh from school holidays, the students used their hands to manipulate clay into gratitude bowls, pressing in flowers and petals collected from the school grounds. Some students included carving in the veins of leaves.
Gratitude leaf drawing using chalk and water colours brought the clay pieces to life and the session was closed with journaling all the things we are thankful for.
Week 3. Mindfulness with nature. Rocks, plants, shells, fruit and herbs were collected from the natural environment for the students to explore (feel, touch, smell, taste). This sensory experience allowed students to choose an item to draw and paint using liquid watercolour paints and oil pastels.
Week 4. Using a breathing technique the students learnt the power of breath to calm the nervous system. Acrylic paints, glitter and textas created dazzling CD and rock mandalas.
Please contact Sally Puckeridge at ARTMINDS to find out more about the program.
artmindsaustralia.com.au 