Art as therapy, in the sense that through art we can heal ourselves, find balance, well-being, and perhaps even resolve longstanding issues that have troubled us. In today’s post, however, I want to focus primarily on the term ‘Art’ in the context of Art Therapy. Indeed, it’s the artistic aspect that drives evolution, stirring, through the artistic process, what has been blocked for various reasons, akin to trauma. Art embodies the pleasure of color, texture, and tactile experience, whether with clay or any other material. Unlike other forms of therapy, Art Therapy communicates not through words but through its own language of signs, images, and surfaces. In this realm, we lose track of time, entering another dimension. Even when simply taking a moment to mold clay or squeeze color from a tube, with no specific objectives, the therapeutic essence of art shines through in the joy of creation, in playing with materials. The therapeutic potential of art is evident to me for several reasons, notably when working with children and families in hospitals. Yet, there’s another aspect, less obvious but equally significant: those who come to the Atelier for a lesson, leaving tensions and problems at the door. Every time, I’m amazed by the transformative power of an art lesson.
