Art Therapy

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ART THERAPY

Abstract

The concept of art therapy (as a discipline or group of methodologies is relatively new . Similarly , it has been suggested that individuals exercising their right to make their own creative mark may be considered as a sign of a healthy individual . However , unlike many societies that preceded us , our technologically advanced industrial society has clearly separated art from life . We have words that allow us to categorize and subdivide art forms . Our society has successfully isolated individuals

br from artistic creation . Art is not a medicine that must be taken three times a day after meals . The recent move towards `Arts for Health ' as distinct from art therapy is a healthy and honest extension of these developments

Slowly people are becoming aware of their creative potential , their need to make their mark . As a result more and more individuals who , because of birth , crisis or accident had previously been denied their rights as `full members ' of their society , are finally gaining access to the arts Unfortunately modern industrialized societies have excluded many people from their right to indulge in these artistic processes . In using the creative arts in health care , rehabilitation and special education settings , and seeing the resulting growth in self-image , self-esteem and healthy social interactions , society as a whole is being handed a mirror concerning what is possible for all its members if only they are given the opportunity

ART THERAPY

The concept of art therapy (as a discipline or group of methodologies is relatively new . However , its roots can be found in the continual but ever-changing relationship between culture , artistic activity and social development . Some have gone so far as to suggest that the arts and society are inextricably linked and that the health of a society is reflected in the pool of artistic activity the society creates - and vice versa . Similarly , it has been suggested that individuals exercising their right to make their own creative mark may be considered as a sign of a healthy individual . However , unlike many societies that preceded us , our technologically advanced industrial society has clearly separated art from life . We have words that allow us to categorize and subdivide art forms . Our society has successfully isolated individuals from artistic creation . As a result art is defined in terms of artifacts , products that can be discussed and criticized - often because of their economic rather than their aesthetic or spiritual contributions to society as a whole

Over the centuries we have created the concept that artistic creation is the responsibility of a few gifted individuals . In so doing , we have denied the majority of individuals within our urban and technologically advanced society their birthrights : that , as a human being , everyone has the right to make his or her own `unique creative thumbprint ' - one that no one else could make . We all have a need to make this `mark , not because we necessarily wish to be the reminders to a future generation...