Art therapy

THE THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES

Art moves people. It enriches us in many ways. Visual art has been around for thousands of years. So have people with problems. Art therapy is the marriage of the visual arts and the human need for introspection and problem solving. In this article series, we explore the depths of art and human psyche, and wonder where Islamic art fits into it all. This article gives a basic outline of the therapeutic techniques in painting.

Let’s recall the art therapy basics. Colour and shape resonate within a person, and can aid in the healing.

Based on the holistic theory approach, there are three main realms of human functioning: cognitive (thinking), emotional (feeling), and the will (doing).

The aim of art therapy is to establish a balance between these three realms, since a disturbance in any of them can lead to psychological and physical problems, which in turn affect the functioning of the whole body.

The three main media used to influence the realms in art therapy are, roughly stated, cognitive: drawing (soft pastel, pencil, charcoal, wax bloc), emotional: painting (watercolour on dry paper, watercolour on wet paper, and acrylic on paper), and the will: sculpting (soft river clay). Which medium and technique is employed is based on the need of the patient in question.

An art therapist must be well versed in all media, in all therapeutic techniques. This does not necessarily make one an artist. An artist incorporates his own self, his own style, and vision into his art. A therapist ‘sacrifices’ all these at the altar of objectivity. He is satisfied with solely the therapeutic qualities of colour and shape. He is there to be of service to the patient, who becomes his ‘work of art’ instead.

The rest of the article you can read in the magazine.