What is Art in Art Therapy?

Written by Samantha Davis

“Sorry I am more of a words person”, a group participant recently divulged as she shared her picture (of words) with the group.

It is strange that we feel that we need to apologize when our creativity - which is so natural and organic - flows through us. We somehow feel that it differs from the ‘norm’.

This led me to explore and reflect on how the ‘Art’ in Art Therapy can be used to normalize and contextualize that which appears different or outside the box.

People often associate Art Therapy with needing to be ‘good’ at art. In other words, being able to create, draw or paint something that is realistic and recognizable.

This is certainly not what Art Therapy entails…

Let’s begin with a definition of ‘Art’

The Oxford dictionary defines art as “the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.”

Wikipedia defines art as “a diverse range of human activities involving creative imagination to express technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no generally agreed definition of what constitutes art, and ideas have changed over time.”

Personally, I like the ending of this latter definition in that there is consensus that there is no consensus around what art is. That thinking out the box can actually be the norm.

Types of art that have emerged in my Art Therapy practice within both individuals and groups over the past two decades has included drawing, painting, sculpting, crafting, music, literature, wordplay, collage, burning, playing, role-playing, dancing, movement, singing, construction, destruction, knitting, sewing, prayer, ritual, creative thinking, brainstorming, topography, graffiti, photography and the list goes on…

Some examples of thinking outside of the box

Objects – a middle aged man once told me that he ‘couldn’t draw to save his life.’ But behold, after some initial foundational group work, he (self-directed) created a windmill out of recycled materials that… wait for it… rotated independently on its axis. He created this in just 45 minutes!

A group of educators were experiencing some internal conflict and were initially reluctant to participate in any formal art or creative group activities. I invited them to each stand and sing in their mother tongue – there was instant energy, aliveness and relief. The room suddenly transformed into a magical environment of connection through song, dance and movement. The sharing of creative energy can be used to develop and enhance communication and relationships.

Art is Discovery

Art is often a means of discovering, connecting, and communicating the parts of the self that have been lost, repressed, forgotten or ignored. A means of building bridges between the inside and the outside. Art serves as a mediator in communicating between the unconscious and the conscious through spontaneity and the senses.

Each person and group culture has various preferred mediums or avenues to express and access art and creative expression. It is important to really listen carefully and intuitively, to hear and understand what the individual or group needs and use what is innately available to them.

What we know

What we now understand is that Art Therapy is about a process of being creative; of creating something out of nothing. Individuals and groups can use their inherent imagination, self-expression and communication skills, without any specific art skill or technique.

Art and creativity can be accessed through spontaneous exploration and play – that is being present in the moment or “going with the flow”.

Sigmund Freud called this ‘free associating’ - saying or doing that which organically flows to the surface without censoring, thinking, restricting, planning or controlling.

Application in Art Therapy

I qualified as an Art Therapist in the UK more than 20 years ago. I completed a 2 year Masters training founded in a psychodynamic theoretical approach, which entails establishing a working relationship between the therapist and the individual or group by creating a frame or contract consisting of specific boundaries to create a safe space to access the art.

Within this frame, the magic is in the unknown - consisting of both the process and the product or end-result. Art and play, with its infinite forms of creativity that can be explored and worked with in a therapeutic manner.

Art in Art Therapy often includes words, story, fantasy, imagination, objects and ritual. Creativity transcends what is known, logical and linear. It includes abstract thinking and spontaneity. Art and creative expression are felt and accessed through the senses and the body, through vision, sound, or touch both on the inside and the outside.

The art in Art Therapy is any spontaneous creative expression, communication and/or release that is held and contained in a safe and solid therapeutic frame so that healing and transformation can occur.

Curious about Art Therapy?

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An introduction to the process of Art Therapy including theory, case studies, experiential art making, exploration, sharing daily plus journaling. Less intense, lighter, shorter and cheaper than the 5-Day Intensive Course.

Full Fee: R6250

What is Art in Art Therapy?

Let’s begin with a definition of ‘Art’

Some examples of thinking outside of the box

Art is Discovery

What we know

Application in Art Therapy

Curious about Art Therapy?

Art Therapy Courses / Workshops in South Africa

Art Therapy Courses / Workshops in South Africa

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