Today, as we talk more and more about mental health, we also looking for more enjoyable and accessible treatments...
COVER STORY
Did you know that Edvard Munch’s art, The Scream, was an expression of his inner turmoil and deep depression? For Munch, art became an outlet to vent his feelings and experience freedom from his fears. And how did Frida Kahlo, crippled by polio since the age of six and isolated by bullies, healed after a horrific bus accident that left her with more injuries? It was painting portraits that got her through that painful time.
Today, as we talk more and more about mental health, we also looking for more enjoyable and accessible treatments to deal with our mental health issues. With mandalas, adult colouring books, journaling and art challenges trending on social media, art therapy has gained popularity over the past few years. Art is now a source of comfort to many people around the world.
Muneeza Khan, an incredible artist and the owner of The Vintage Nerd, tells Us more about art therapy…
As an artist, how would you describe art therapy? How does it work and are there different types of art therapy?
As an artist, I would say art in itself is therapy. It’s therapy for the mind as well as the heart. It engages all of your senses and you are 100 percent involved in the process of creation. With respect to my research, art therapy is of five types: painting, collaging, digital art, photography and textiles.
Any art therapy techniques people can try at home?
I consider free hand drawing as one of the most effective ways of expressing your emotions. Just take a blank sheet of paper, a pen or a pencil and get started. You will see how therapeutic it is to create something out of these simple tools.
Then I would say go for colouring. Get a colouring book and a pack of colour pencils or markers and relax your mind.
How does art therapy impact your mental health?
We can all agree that we live in a very chaotic world and life isn’t easy or as simple as it used to be in old days. Keeping that in mind, I think art therapy plays a vital role in relaxing your mind by giving you an outlet to express your feelings.
Walk us through a general art therapy session.
A general therapy session starts with helping the person get to a place of calm through art activities specifically designed for that person.
Usually there are more than two activities, followed by a discussion at the end of the session.
There are lots of people who aren’t really interested in art stuff; will art therapy work for them or will it be beneficial to them?
People attending self-help art sessions, regardless of what they think about art, feel a lot more relaxed and happier after the session. Such sessions are a source of great help to anyone willing to improve their mental health.
And, you never know, you might end up discovering your hidden artistic talents. I really encourage people to check out such self-help art sessions for self-exploration.
Any tips and strategies that people can use in their daily lives to create art without thinking too much?
My constant advice to anyone who takes these sessions or pursues art in general is always to be confident in whatever you put on paper mainly because that’s coming from you; its personal and it’s your work!
Anyone who makes any kind of art must not fear judgement or criticism. Don’t seek validation from others. I firmly believe that confidence and determination is all you need to move forward and excel.
Do you have to be good at art to be an art therapist?
I would say you only need to have a desire to help people to be good at it.
Students studying art can become art therapist, right! So how do they start a career in art therapy? In your opinion, how can they become successful artists?
There is a proper way to go about it. You need to study art therapy which, unfortunately in Pakistan, is not taught as a proper subject. Ideally, you need proper credentials and knowledge to professionally pursue it as a line of work. Art students can further go abroad and get a certification for this. But if you’re solely doing it based on your own research, then it’s best to not label yourself as a therapist but more of a self-help instructor.
Research and reading material pertaining to using art as a therapeutic tool is available online. Look into it if you’re interested.
What are some of the common misconceptions regarding art therapy?
People think that art therapy is pricey; not everyone can do it; it’s not helpful; it’s a waste of time and the list goes on.
I’d again suggest anyone negating it to do their research and at least attend one self-help art session before drawing any conclusions.
What is The Vintage Nerd?
The Vintage Nerd is a passion project that’s based on my love for vivid colors, geometric designs, nature, seascapes, psychedelic prints and crazy expressive word art. Whether it’s a mandala or a nature or seascape, whether it’s miniature cat paintings or my quirky, funky hand-painted magnets, every single product is a result of what personally moves and inspires me as a person
Collage - cutting out stress
Cutting and sticking really is easy; anyone can do it and with a few basic supplies like paper, scissors and a bot of glue, you’ve got yourself a great kit to start working. But this art technique, conceived by Picasso and Braque at the beginning of the 20th century, and which the dadaists would incorporate later as an alternative, rebellious response to traditional art, is a bit more than just cutting and sticking: collage is experimentation, investigation, learning, and, among other things, it’s a bit of fun!
Give it some purpose or personal touch to your clippings, and you’ll succeed in creating a language of your own which will allow you to express your worries or experience visually.
Almost anything can be used to create collages. Use promotional flyers, parking tickets, cuttings from magazines and old books or anything from recyclable stuff.
To help you start, here are few ideas …
You won’t believe it!
Make your own news; they’re the most important headlines. Draw TV screens on a paper and fill them with events that have recently shaped your life.
As you imagine
Nothing, no matter how big or how small, is as terrible or wonderful as you imagine. Take two pieces of different colour paper and paste them on a white sheet of paper. On one piece, write all the things you like, and on the other one all the things you don’t, but remember they are connected and they complement each other. Take a moment to appreciate your work.
A page for four-letter words
Use a sheet of page or use your journal and fill it with the cuttings of four-letter words.
Go wild if you can
Infuse a page with a smell of your choosing; keep a stain log by staining a page with different things like ketchup, coffee or lipstick; glue random items on the page like a bottle cap, a piece of thread or pencil scraps; create a pattern by poking holes in the page. Channel your rebellion and be creative in your own ways.
- Collage therapy by Rebecca Elizegi and Wreck this Journal by Keri Smith
These days mandalas, adult colouring, etc. are very popular art activities! Please recommend some other art or craft activities that people can try.
Colouring and free hand painting will always be my number one recommendation, but you can try collage work. Gather old magazines, pick a theme and get pasting. It’s very helpful and relaxing. You can also try the same with different textiles and knickknacks you find around your home.
Try photography.
