The Healing Power of the Arts
The Arts are usually valued as aesthetic objects, music, dance
or theatrical performances - symbols of the culture of a nation. Less explored is the transformative emotional
and intellectual process experienced by
those creating works of art and crafts.
People are fascinated to watch artists and artisans
transform ordinary materials into beautiful paintings, woven baskets, or
compose music from a few simple notes. Alfred
Gell called this fascination “the magic of technology and the technology of
magic”. Over the years, Psychologists have proposed various theories to decode
the mystery of the creative process.
Creativity appears to be a human activity like no other. A potter sitting at the wheel seems to be in a
trance like state of total concentration, as a lump of soggy clay transforms
beneath his hands, into a perfectly symmetrical vase. Most artists, writers, composers and poets
will recognize being lost in the act of creation, unaware of time or their surroundings.
While this complete absorption appears anti-social,
there is a general agreement that creativity is a positive activity.
This led to investigations into the healing nature of the
creative process. In the 1940s, Margaret Naumburg, considered a pioneer in Art
Therapy, found creativity unlocked suppressed emotions and thoughts, allowing
healing to take place. Today it has become an integral part of modern
medical treatment.
Concluding that many health issues are related to lifestyle,
Social Prescribing, as it is now called, is recommended by doctors for some patients
to access a wide range of non-clinical therapies from art to gardening, sports
and community activities. Post-operative patients exposed to music and visual
arts require less medication and recover faster. In 2008, the British Health Policy
called for participatory arts to be part of the mainstream in health and social
care.
When dealing with bereavement, social exclusion, anxiety, stress,
or even aging, many turn to music,
poetry or art. André Breton, co-founder
of the Surrealist Art movement, cared
for injured and traumatized soldiers in WWI, leading to his interest in the
workings of the subconscious. He wrote in the First Manifesto of Surrealism,
1924,‘Our brains are dulled by the incurable mania of wanting to make the
unknown known’.
The creative process requires
concentration and focus, giving temporary respite from other problems. Its
lasting positive effects include self-confidence, developing trust, empathy, mental
clarity, the ability to communicate emotion through concrete metaphors,
bringing up deep emotions to the conscious mind, and learning to regulate
emotional responses. Existing ideas are dismantled and rebuilt with new
meanings, altering the way we think, see ourselves and the world around
us. This leads to a sense of empowerment
and well-being.
Sikander Jogi’s art students at Karachi Central Jail, learnt
to symbolize their imprisonment and desire for freedom with images from nature that
lay beyond the prison walls. Many hardened criminals not only developed a
calmness, but some continued to make art after their release.
Rural communities understand the healing power of
creativity. After a 16 hour work day, women sit together to embroider and weave,
sharing stories of the day. Artisan families make baskets collectively, fashion
water vessels or weave charpai beds. The Hashri grass cutting rituals of
Mansehra are accompanied by music and dance. Festivals are held at the beginning
and end of the arduous growing seasons. Urban
communities such as The Piecemakers’s Guild of Karachi, meet every two weeks to
share their creative quilting. On line craft communities like Etsy, are growing
in popularity.
The purpose of healing through creativity is not to make a
beautiful art work, but as Nikki Rowe says, “Art is my cure to all this
madness, sadness and loss of belonging in the world and through it I'll walk
myself home.”
Durriya Kazi
October 17, 2020
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