LEARNING BY TEACHING

I am teaching an introductory subject in the first year of a Masters of Art Therapy with another art therapist.  (Maybe why my blog has suffered) The class has twenty four eager students intent on learning about the untapped potential of creativity in healing. Last Tuesday was the first lecture and the class began with artmaking.  "Create a piece of work that you can use to introduce your inner artist."  Materials that were available included paper, pastels, paint, tape, pencils, clay and wire.  When it came time to share 12 out of 24 had chosen three dimensional art forms.  (Now that's exciting!)

In asking them about this they said a number of things:

• I like to use my hands more
• Its about touch
• It relates to the inside and outside
• It depends on the materials - I engage more with clay but less with metal (in regards to sculpture)
• Installations are three dimensional
• I use two and three dimensional artmaking at different times

In preparing for next weeks class I was reading about the triangular relationship in art therapy and the psychodynamic approach to images and revisited a description of art images as being diagrammatic or embodied by Joy Schaverien.  I was wondering:
is this description relevant to children who are often more embodied than adults?
Is it more of a continuum where images can be a bit of both?
When have my clients created embodied artworks?
Is it a concept that is less relevant as we have developed as a profession?
Do I think any of the artworks born in my presence are not embodied?


Here is a look at the descriptions by Joy Schaverien:

DIAGRAMMATIC IMAGES

• Conscious form of communication usually following words or thoughts
• Client may be uncomfortable with materials or artistic process
• May convey feeling but viewer does not experience the feeling
• The image does NOT transform the artist.
• Minimal emotional investment
• Illustrates feeling but does not embody it

EMBODIED IMAGE

• Client feels safe and held within therapeutic encounter
• Image begins to lead – artmaking takes over and intent may change
• It embodies the absorption of maker and the ‘live’ relationship with viewer
• It reverberates in the unconscious of both artist and maker
• Conveys a feeling state that is beyond words
• All points of the triangle are activated ie artist, therapist and image

As I was packing my clothes for the long weekend, it hit me.  Are three dimensional objects more embodied?  Is there a type of scale where the interplay between three dimensionality and materials creates opportunities for more embodied artmaking.....this thought came in the early hours as I was surrounded by suitcases, food for 12 people, animals and tonight's dishes.  I just had to write it down before it slipped away.

I am enjoying the learning that is involved in teaching......