Art has influences in the broadest range of things—clothing, pop culture, revolutions. So, it should come as no surprise when you hear that art influences mental health. No matter the perspective you hold, audience or artist, art provokes thought and emotion.
Let’s read on to better understand how art can improve mental health.
Art and Mental Health: The Audience
Everybody views and interprets art in their own ways. There’s no all-encompassing way to put how art directly influences the mental wellbeing of its audience, but here are a few general ways it can.
Relation and Community
It’s common for artists to use visual arts to express things they feel that they cannot describe through verbal or written words. And so, when emotional turmoil is translated onto a canvas for others to see—it’s bound to personally reach a soul or two. As a member of the audience, seeing someone else struggle with something similar to you can help you feel less isolated or seen.
The impact of connection and community on mental health is significant, because at the end of the day, humans are social creatures. People tend to want to be understood, so when you’re already silently facing an issue, feeling neglected and doubtful could further self-esteem or anxiety issues.
Inspiration
Whether you’re another artist, a writer or even a business owner, inspiration drives your creations. This could come from anywhere—from mundane, everyday occurrences or from other art. Another person’s art can be another’s fuel; there is truth behind the saying “art does not live in a vacuum”.
But what does this have to do with mental health? To put it simply, feeling uninspired or burnt out can heavily impact an individual. This kind of lack of motivation, especially to a creator whose “lifeline” is making art, can lead to stress, anxiety and other serious disorders. If an individual who has attributed creation to their life’s purpose and meaning, cannot create, it isn’t unlikely for them to spiral.
However, feeling demotivated or uninspired isn’t always easily solved—avolition is a symptom of an underlying mental health issue, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help!
So, when exposure to art inspires, it sparks wonder, hope and combats inertia. This nudge towards purpose and direction can be a powerful movement. If people feel as if their actions are meaningful, they’re likelier to bulldoze through any challenges thrown in their way.
Art and Mental Health: The Creator
Art for mental health isn’t limited to its audience, but it expands to its creator as well. We’ve established that there’s no one way that art impacts. But here are the most notable ways art can improve the mental health of its creator.
Finding Community
When people find your art and realise that they’re able to relate to your emotions, thoughts, beliefs and struggles—you as an artist can feel less alone. While community and connection can alleviate feelings of alienation, finding your audience offers more than just that.
When your art could reach anyone—whether it be the masses or just an individual—it may help you realise that you do have a voice, and a place in the world.
Release the Feelings
Just as how art is interpreted differently from viewer to viewer, artists can have varying “reasons” to create art—one possible reason is expression. Having an outlet to release any pent-up feelings, of shame, anger or any other negative emotion is undeniably healthier than keeping it bottled.
Edvard Munch was an influential artist riddled with disorder, who had created the famed painting, “Scream”. It was a depiction of paranoia and anxiety and in this rendition, he had confronted his own emotions, to transform it into this expressionist, autobiographical piece.
Most artists leverage art as a form of catharsis, and in doing so, they’re able to relieve themselves of negative emotions—moving away from it. This creates a healthy space to cleanse unwelcome thoughts, to make room for warmth, peace and insight. The influence that art has on mental health is substantial and has been recognised as so. As a result, the concept of “Art Therapy” was born.
Art Therapy
Conducted by licensed professionals, art therapy can help patients better process emotions. Art therapy diverges from engaging in the creation of art yourself. It’s conducted by an art therapist, who has been trained in using art to interpret behaviour and cognition, and to aid in the recuperation of mental health.
Sessions in art therapy can range from being fully being the creation of art to a typical therapy session of CBT and EMDR. There are numerous ways, that also include methods that exist outside of visual art, but we’ll keep focus on the topic at hand.
1. Painting, Drawing, Colouring
Typically, while doing art therapy, patients are given prompt and materials to promote mindfulness, rest, and as with the other items on this list, expression.
2. Collage
Clients can bring and use images that reflect personal thoughts, emotions and experiences, and collate them into a cohesive piece. Through this art therapy, they focus more on composition than technicalities like brushstrokes or line art, providing a pressure free channel for self-expression.
3. Pottery and Sculpture
Notably more hands-on than the former items, this tactile art therapy form allows patients to easily experiment with texture. It can be a more satisfying method of art, seeing your piece come to life three dimensionally.
Overview
Art is all around us—so we may as well embrace it and recognise its intersections with mental health. Art also has the potential to improve the quality of our lives, so pick up a brush or visit your nearest museum. Take charge and regain control of our state of mind.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
Kommentit