This essay reflects on my recent art project, which was timely given my recent discussions about the challenges in treating mental illness. During a conversation with friends at a restaurant, we discussed how a lack of awareness about the contributing factors and influencing elements of mental illness complicates treatment. We also explored ways to enhance social awareness regarding mental illnesses, including their causes and symptoms. During this discussion, I noticed a painting in the restaurant depicting an elderly woman alone in a room, deep in thought. This painting stayed with me and influenced the direction of my project.
When tasked with an art project, I chose painting as my medium, inspired by the image I had seen. I decided to title my project “Socioeconomic Causes of Mental Illnesses,” reflecting on the impact of socioeconomic factors on mental health. My research focused on how art can represent mental illness and found substantial literature on the subject. Online resources, including Google Search and Google Scholar, provided valuable insights. Notably, Stuckey (2008) discussed how engaging in creative arts can enhance patient outcomes by improving mood, emotions, and psychological states.
I also explored Jones’s (2015) article, “A Short History of Mental Illness in Art,” which offered a historical perspective on how mental illness has been depicted in paintings. One of the paintings I initially selected was Albrecht Dürer’s Melancholia (1514). This painting helped me understand how art can be a powerful tool for both psychologists and patients in exploring and representing mental health experiences. Rustin (2008) supported this view, emphasizing the role of artwork in understanding mental illness.
The second painting I chose was Matthias Grünewald’s The Temptation of St. Anthony (c. 1512-16), which depicts Saint Anthony’s emotional turmoil after an encounter with the Devil. However, after consulting with my teacher, I realized this choice did not align well with my project’s theme. I subsequently researched further and selected Paula Scotter’s Your Pain Is My Pain, which effectively portrays human suffering within challenging social and personal contexts.
Through this project, I learned that “seeing” art as a form of therapy involves using art media to facilitate communication. This approach allows individuals of all ages to engage actively, often uncovering feelings that are difficult to express verbally. “Seeing” art in therapy can enhance self-awareness, behavior management, and social skills.
Conclusion
Working on this project was both informative and engaging. It deepened my understanding of how art therapy, specifically “seeing” therapy, can aid in reducing stress and depression while improving health outcomes. Observing and interacting with art can foster calmness and improve focus. Moving forward, I aim to further explore the effective use of art therapy in clinical psychology.
References
Rustin, T. A. (2008). Using artwork to understand the experience of mental illness: Mainstream artists and Outsider artists. GMS Psycho-Social Medicine, 5.
Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The connection between art, healing, and public health: A review of current literature. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254-263.
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