BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH ART THERAPY:
February 9,2021
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”- Thomas Merton,
IS ART A FORM OF THERAPY?
Art is a therapy, a natural healer for the soul, which enables healing by stitching our open wounds in the form of creativity and knitting them together in an expressive way, rather than suppressing it deep down inside your heart with anxiety or frustration.
ART AS A THERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH:
The mere concept that the creative expression of our thoughts via art can make a remarkable contribution towards the healing process and mental well being has been embraced in different cultures and thereby we witness various forms of age-old art forms still existing throughout this world.
WHY DID OUR FOREFATHERS USE VISUAL ART?
A story of art, growing as a language throughout the ages, from the early cavemen communicating with scribbled pictures to the modern-day depiction of Art and it's marvels. For centuries, art has been the language of communication among human beings. Our forefathers would have detected some kind of potential in the power of pictures, music, dance or visual arts to foster mental health and holistic well being, and therefore they assigned it in their daily routine or rituals.
WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
Art therapy is a technique which acknowledges that creative expression can facilitate healing and mental well-being. Whether it be through creating art or simply exploring others creations, it can be used as a powerful mode of expressing and understanding emotions and developing self-awareness. Researchers have proved constantly that art therapy aids in stress management, boosts self-esteem and harnesses our social skills. Visual art aids in expressing sentiments and experiences that are too hard to put into words.
DOES ART THERAPY WORK FOR ANXIETY?
In Conversation with Manya Bhola, an assistant professor, working with the Haryana Government and a self-taught leading Artist based in Delhi. We couldn't think of anyone better than her for this special artsy feature. Her art touches the soul of many and her vivid imaginations capture the little details of this world. She is an all-rounder classic and timeless artist. Let's see how she incorporated Art therapy into her life, to relieve her stress and increase her productivity!
HOW TO USE ART-THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION?
Manya affirmed that she is a self-taught artist, and her undying love for art started when she was preparing for competitive exams. She further said that art has therapeutically helped her to vent out all her pent up emotions and mental frustration during exam pressure.
With 8-10 years of hardcore devotion towards painting, it eventually became a full-time hobby from a mere medium of expression. Initially, she started juggling with acrylic paints, and as time passed by, she quickly grasped everything from fluid art, resin art, digital art, alcohol inks and even doodling.
MANYA AND ART: A CLASSIC LOVE STORY:
Art brings out the best version of me, that could ever exist on earth. It’s my trusted therapy and a complete stress buster. No matter how low, agitated or hyper I feel, the expression of creativity helps in calming down my senses. Just like people pen down their notes, I pen down my imaginations via this method of visual presentation.
THE EVER-GROWING SCOPE OF ART:
Art is ever-growing and everlasting. With greater mediums, and fresh modes, it’s taking a front seat in every sphere - be it fashion, theatre, movies, blogging, home decor. You can witness Art almost everywhere and in every little thing, you touch. Even the tiniest creatures on earth, the myriad shades of a flower and the hues of sunrise and sunset teach us a lot about art and it's wonderful combinations.
While concluding Manya said that she was happy that everyone is coming up with distinct and unique ideas and with the age of internet revolution, people get everything within a blink of seconds. So learning the art therapy can start from this very moment, for whosoever wishes to learn it.
PROMOTE HANDICRAFT OVER MACHINE BASED ARTIFACTS:
In the current scenario, machine-based artwork is gaining precedence over the local artists and their creations, people have failed to acknowledge the hardship, creativity, imagination and patience that goes behind the curtains. These artists take days, months and sometimes even a year or so, depending on the conceptualization of their project and their need for utter Perfection, to get the details right.