WHAT MADE A BEAUTIFUL DAY SO BEAUTIFUL

Pondering about the day

It's Sunday night and I am waiting for clothes to be washed for work tomorrow.  My mind wanders back to my lovely afternoon (described in the last blog). I feel content.  I think of peonies, lush green paddocks, animals, cutting flowers, sipping coffee, laughing with people, listening to the music, warm sun after days of rain, good conversation with a friend, throwing a stick for the farm's Border Collie and drooling over those doughnuts.

My senses are alive in a three dimensional world

What stands out is the sensory aspect of today.  Being on a farm and seeing lush green paddocks with black and white cows.  Bunches of big full peonies carried by smiling people. A little weatherboard church nestled in amongst towering gum trees and the surprise of a local band on a verandah of a general store.  I remember the smells of the pasture, the doughnuts, the coffee and the barbecue sausages. The feel of the breeze on my face, the warmth of the sun on my skin and patting the rough hair of the horses. I heard music, laughter, birds and conversation.  I tasted good coffee and a pork and coleslaw roll.  My senses were alive and functioning well today.  The photos tell a story of my sensory experiences.

 

My sense are alive in three dimensional art

We live in a three dimensional world where I negotiate experiences with my senses and my body.  This creates a feeling of well being and joy.  Is it any wonder that I think that creating art in three dimensions brings me closer to these same experiences?  It is the smell of the clay, the feel of the wool, the sound of the art materials being moulded, the taste of the soap that float in the air and the sight of the little piece of magic that comes from me to the outside world. 

 

Art therapy and the limits of the canvas

Why is it that there is so little research and attention paid to three dimensional art in the art therapy world?  It seems very strange to me.  It's not that art therapists do not use three dimensional art with clients but it always appears to be unworthy of attention.  At the same time it seems that  two dimensional painting, drawing and collage is the normal way to work with clients.  Three dimensional work is more like an experiment and a little unusual in the art therapy world.  It is an "add on" to the two dimensional world of painting and drawing.

Why does three dimensional art seem an "add on" to drawing rather than an intrinsic part of art expression in therapy?

Historically, paintings were useful as a form of recording.  Almost like the photos I took today.  I enjoy looking back at them as they prompt my memory of such a beautiful day.  Portraits recorded moments too.  When photography evolved, art took another turn.  No longer was it needed as a way to record people's image but could be used as a way to express emotions.  Sculpture too recorded people and moments. Like portraits they were often life like to record a moment in time - a beautiful woman or a man off to war.  They were formal.  Sculptures were on plinths and usually set higher than the viewer. While engaging they were often made from cold, resistant materials such as marble or rock and larger than the viewer- almost distant and reserved.

Limits of the canvas in art therapy

As art therapists we encourage our clients to express themselves through painting, drawings and collage.  We realise the power of using images to access the unconscious or express our joy and pain.  Why is it that we do not use sculpture to the same degree - and a means to access the unconscious or express our emotions.