What is Art Therapy?

There are a number of professional art therapists working in Thailand. Our society becomes more and more opened to the term "Therapy" from various attitudes. Art therapy is both scientific and artistic. It was woven from over a hundred years of work experiences, both in the west and in the east. This exhibition throws a light on the point that when art therapy from a medical view is united with the world of art, from the dimension of inner journeys.

Response art is art therapists' post-session process of creating artwork in response to the emotions that subconsciously arise in the therapy session. This process allows art therapists to contemplate on their own experiences while conducting the session, such as the vulnerability or intensity of emotions that were not verbalized or the art therapist's own blind spots (counter transference) which restrict the capacity to empathize with the clients' experiences.

The other artworks which can help you understand about response art are two paintings by the art therapist "Oratip Nimkannon" that reflect her emotional experiences before and while providing mental health support to refugees at a humanitarian organization dedicated to serving refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok.The first piece was completed one day prior to Oratip's first day of starting work. Just thinking about herself

in this role, the art therapist had so many mixed feelings that she had to express them through colors and paint brushes. 

Anthroposophic art therapy emerged in the early 20th Century through Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1864-1924) whose concept of art and anthroposophic philosophy led to the application of art therapy and the relationship between the elements as well as the spiritual development of each individual. One example is the artwork "The Element of Therapy" by Saphrangphon Chayanupatkul, this work shows that the qualities of 4 natural elements (earth- solids, water- liquids, air- wind, and fire-heat) are linked to the internal organs of the human body (lungs, liver, kidney, and heart) according to their locations and functions. This goes with the saying "Humans are the collector of things in the nature and the universe around us."

Clients suffering from chronic depression lacking interest in the external world or even people around them are diagnosed. Their therapists, after getting them to paint with watercolor, what appears in the first picture of a free painting is indicative of their condition where colors showing closure or blockage. The therapist then decides to opt for the wet on wet technique using watercolors along with soft pastel colors which relate to fluidity and movement.  

During the final process of therapy, the client appears more relaxed. The mood lightens, the client smiles more and is able to make certain decisions in life. The therapy appears to have worked at a satisfactory level. 

In addition to being therapeutic, art therapy is related to the creation of artworks, enhancing aesthetic values for a better society with virtue, beauty and truth.

An observant eye will recognize the many colors of the forest that are not unlike human beings whose lives are painted with different colors over time. The natural elements - earth, water, air, and fire- fuel colors before our eyes. Earth gives birth to trees before water can bring out colors in their leaves and branches. Silk then absorbs the dyes. Finally, sunshine allows the colors to stay on fabric by drying them, with help from the wind. 

“As an art therapist, the meaning of art, elements and therapy are combined in creating the following visual elements, elements of humanities and elements of therapy”

 

Anupan Pluckpankhajee – Curator