SACE No E. Completed Artwork

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Domenic Bates
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1 Completed Artwork A B C D

2 Does Creating Art Enhance Mental Health? Explanation of Artwork. SACE No E Introduction There is strong evidence suggesting that engaging in the making of visual art can greatly improve one s mental health. The process of creating artwork has been shown to reduce depression, 1 stress and anxiety, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 whilst increasing one s sense of flow, 10,11 self-worth, confidence and relaxation, amongst many others. 12,13,14,15,16 Art making has also proven to aid in expressing deep emotions such as grief. 17,18,19 I chose to present my findings in the form of an artwork to synthesise my findings. This enabled me to reaffirm my opinion about the reliability of my research by putting it into practise. I am also extremely ardent about developing my own practise as a future artist. The artwork I created is a collation of my findings. By separating the piece into twelve sections, I dedicated each panel to a key topic that aided in providing an answer to my question. Additionally, the whole artwork forms the portrait of a young woman, representing the variety of effects art making can have on one person. I matched the colour palette, texture and materials of the sections to their corresponding topic, visually expressing the data I have collated. Throughout this written component of my outcome, I will be detailing the information hidden under many layers of paint in my artwork. Background It is necessary to distinguish between the mental health benefits of making art as opposed to Art Therapy. Art therapy is a way of gaining insight into one s trauma and experiences, specifically for mental health purposes where language is inadequate. 20,21 Clients visually express their issues through drawing, then sit with a therapist to delve into the representation of their art, uncovering the path to healing. 22,23,24 The focus is not on the act of art making, but what is exposed as a result of the artwork. 25,26,27,28 After researching this aspect, I found I would rather focus upon benefits of the act of art making and how it enhances mental health, as this is an area I feel more connected to as a budding artist myself, and where I could dig deeper in my research with a larger variety of research processes. Scientific studies were fundamental to my main findings. Although some sources weren t specifically focusing on art making and mental health (either researching cortisol levels or holistic health of those who engage in art), their findings contributed greatly to my research. The studies varied in their content, one a meta-analysis of studies on the impact of art making on patients of chronic illness, cancer, hemodialysis and trauma 29 whereas another focused on one s cortisol levels before and after creating art. 30 The others are observations of large groups of people, measuring their mental health improvement due to making art. 31,32 Four major studies all agreed art making improves mental health, precisely in increasing positive emotions, self-expression, self-worth and identity, creating social connections and reducing stress and anxiety. 33,34,35,36 Results from Research Emotional/Physical Benefits Stress and anxiety are heavily reduced when making art. 37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44 Creating art enables the mind to engage in deep focus on the activity, instead of existent problems or worries, 45,46,47,48,49,50 increasing relaxation and inducing a meditative state. 51,52 Stress and anxiety are released through self-expression,

3 leading to identification of deep-set issues 53,54,55 especially if art therapy is involved. 56,57 One may use art to release tension about an illness they have which can lead to understanding of their disease and provide a positive outlook to their condition. 58 This has been linked to physical health improvements such as reducing time spent recovering and in hospital. 59,60 Mood is drastically improved when making art. 61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75 Although, it should be noted that improvement in mood is only measured by one s perspective, thus is extremely subjective. Through exploring one s inner self and expressing emotions, 76,77,78,79 identity is discovered and grief can be overcome. 80,81,82,83,84,85 A prime example of this development is Myuran Sukumaran, a Bali 9 drug smuggler who was put on death row. 86 Once recovering from his addiction in jail, he became interested in art and used this as creative expression to unleash emotions, thoughts and memories. 87,88 The art making process includes problem solving as the piece is developed, 89,90 therefore giving the artist a sense of achievement. 91,92,93,94,95 This achievement and self-understanding leads to improved selfconfidence and self-worth, 96,97,98,99,100 alleviating depression, helping one to conquer traumatic incidences 101,102,103,104 and providing connection with others (especially in group workshops). 105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112 Neurological Benefits Improvement in psychological resistance has been measured in visual arts engagement, 113 correlating with newly formed and highly effective connections throughout brain regions. 114,115 A study on retired individuals aged between sixty-two and seventy concluded the deterioration of brain functions can be delayed or nullified by creating art. 116 Amongst the motor functions and higher-order thinking involved with art making, this aspect may be related to the experience of flow. 117 Flow Flow can be defined as the state in which all the contents of the consciousness are in harmony with each other, and with the goals that define the person s self. 118 Throughout my research this word continued to appear, quickly becoming a motif of my topic. Renowned psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi s flow theory relates closely to art making, as he discusses the mentality of artists he studied: They obviously enjoyed their work immensely yet it was quite typical for an artist to lose all interest as soon as it was finished the activity of painting produced its own autonomous positive rewards. Nor were these rewards something that artists expected to achieve after the activity was completed The reason for painting did not seem to be the usual desire to achieve external goals. That suggested the reasons might be within the activity: the rewards of painting came from painting itself. 119 This directly validates the act of art making creates positive results, not the artwork itself. 120,121,122,123,124 The feeling of timelessness, inner clarity, serenity and full involvement in the task 125,126 fundamentally improves mental health. Artist s Personal Experiences Firsthand opinions and experiences were expressed by artists I interviewed. Many responses were similar, although they had different backgrounds in art making. Flow continuously emerged as a strong theme. All artists stated that art making provides escape from reality 127,128 and a meditative/mindful state, 129,130 taking them outside of themselves 131 and giving them an opportunity to forget about stress. 132,133,134 Two artists who were art teachers, one teaching high school students and one teaching at the Adelaide Central School of Art, also noted that they ve seen the same reaction in their students during classes. 135,136 Communication and expression was also a distinct subject. The artists enthusiastically conveyed the effectivity of the form of communication and expression art can be. For those with mental illness or who find it hard to express themselves, art making can help the creator articulate complex feelings and respond to the world. 137,138,139 Certain materials and techniques individual to the artist s preferences can heighten the expressive nature conveyed through a piece. 140,141 Traumatic incidences can be released through art

4 making, providing the artist with a sense of ownership and a way to move forward. 142,143 Such expression communicates what the artist feels, things they have experienced and their own perspective. 144,145 This and the engagement in community workshops brings people together. 146,147 The artists wholeheartedly expressed how much art making means to them. Cherie O Dea mentioned creating art is an integral part of [her] wellbeing and a very centring thing for [her]. 148 Self-confidence and optimism is due to regular art making 149 and artists agreed that creating art is part of their identity and a source of motivation. 150,151,152 Said motivation originates from the incredible sense of achievement through problem solving or finishing a piece, adding to feelings of self-worth. 153,154,155 Age and skill was touched on artists agreed neither factors disable an artist from experiencing positivity through art making, 156,157 although higher skill could increase how quickly an artist reaches the flow state and expresses their emotions effectively. 158 Drawing is an innate ability exercised from an early age. 159 As long as art is framed in a way instead of putting pressure on the artist (to create hyper-realistic or exquisite art) 160 but as an enjoyable and subjective process, 161,162 art making, as stated perfectly by Luke Thurgate: is something that opens itself up to everyone. 163 The Expressionism artistic movement of the nineteenth century 164 gives more insight to the experiences of artists and demonstrates the self-expression that can be conveyed through art making. Artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch 165 communicated their feelings of social change, spirituality and humanity through expressive, jarring line and shape, using bold colours in a hallucinatory yet raw state. 166,167 These techniques, amongst many others throughout texture, line, shape and colour are implemented in contemporary art making to aid in releasing emotions. My Experience I ve seen these mental health improvements in myself and others and wished to demonstrate these for myself at a stressful period of Year 12 study. So, I undertook two experiments. Firstly, I conducted a colouring workshop over two days with twenty-three high school students, asking them to colour printed pictures for thirty minutes. I received an overwhelmingly positive response, most students finding the workshop reduced stress and improved their mood. 168 Their skills in art varied, yet this did not make a difference in the enjoyment obtained. 169 They informed me of any stressors and upsets in their life, yet claimed that colouring took their mind off these worries and provided a sanctuary for them. 170 Secondly, the artwork I created as part of this outcome was how I directly integrated art making into my topic. As I usually do, I noticed calmness and the sensation of flow as I was painting. My mind was clearer once I d been painting every day and I was more positive overall. Problem solving was needed whilst planning and painting (figuring out composition and colour scheme), but I felt confident in my achievement of completing the piece as it was ambitious for my usual style. Artwork Representation My research fully indicates that mental health is genuinely enhanced through the process of art making. My artwork attempts to synthesise my research by depicting my main findings, using art making itself. I ve used many colours to express the tone and emotion of the painting. Calmness and awareness due to strengthened brain connections, deep focus (A2 * ) and alleviation of depression (D3) is shown through blue, along with the therapeutic experience of flow (B3) and the deep extent of everyone s identity (C3). As the brain is so complex, A2 is depicted as the cosmos to represent depth and intricacy. Yellow conveys liveliness and spirit around a physically healthy heart (D2), the identity associated with a handprint (C3), higher consciousness from improved brain activity (A2) and intensity of self-expression (B2). Because self-expression can be messy and unrefined, an expressionist style of painting is used in section B2. * Sections are referred to as per the letter and numbering system on the accompanying picture of my artwork.

5 Although red conveys stress and anxiety that s being pushed away (A1), I have also used it to show the fierceness and strength of personality (C3) and life in the heart (D2). Metallic brushstrokes (A3) represent achievement. There is meaning behind every artistic choice made throughout the piece. Vigour obtained from personal growth (C2) is literally shown by the growth of plants over the subject s neck. Red, pink, purple and green convey vitality, self-worth, creativity and well-being respectively. A muddle of colours (B1) has been washed over and sent out of focus as pink tenderness appears from acceptance of the past by working through difficulties via making art. Puzzle pieces (C1) depict problem solving, returning inverted tones of the background to their true state. Furthermore, two hands connect (D1) from understanding each other s artistic expressions, symbolised by a happy yellow and deep pink. Word count: 1996

6 < Malchiodi, C 2016, Art Making and Stress Reduction, Psychology Today, 28 June, accessed 2 March 2017, < Brooks, K 2014, Study Says Making Art Is Good For Your Brain, And We Say You Should Listen, The Huffington Post, 9 July, accessed 7 March 2017, < 11 Csikszentmihalyi, M & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988, Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, accessed 27 March 2017, < urpvtuuoqc0rj6si3buyufm5k#v=onepage&q&f=false> Gray, R 2015, The Art of Healing and Healing in Art Therapy, Australian Psychological Society, accessed 16 December 2016, < Gray, R 2015, The Art of Healing and Healing in Art Therapy, Australian Psychological Society, accessed 16 December 2016, < 23 Dalley, T, Rifkind, G & Terry, K 1993, Three Voices of Art Therapy: Image, Client, Therapist, Routledge, New York, USA 24 McKee, C 2017, pers. comm., 17 January McKee, C 2017, pers. comm., 17 January 27 Dalley, T, Rifkind, G & Terry, K 1993, Three Voices of Art Therapy: Image, Client, Therapist, Routledge, New York, USA 28 Gray, R 2015, The Art of Healing and Healing in Art Therapy, Australian Psychological Society, accessed 16 December 2016, < Malchiodi, C 2016, Art Making and Stress Reduction, Psychology Today, 28 June, accessed 2 March 2017, < 31 < < 34

7 35 Malchiodi, C 2016, Art Making and Stress Reduction, Psychology Today, 28 June, accessed 2 March 2017, < Malchiodi, C 2016, Art Making and Stress Reduction, Psychology Today, 28 June, accessed 2 March 2017, < Csikszentmihalyi, M 2004, Flow, the secret to happiness, video recording, TED, accessed 27 March 2017, < Csikszentmihalyi, M 2004, Flow, the secret to happiness, video recording, TED, accessed 27 March 2017, < De Botton, A & Armstrong, J 2013, Art as Therapy, Phaidon Press Limited, London, England Gray, R 2015, The Art of Healing and Healing in Art Therapy, Australian Psychological Society, accessed 16 December 2016, < 57 Dalley, T, Rifkind, G & Terry, K 1993, Three Voices of Art Therapy: Image, Client, Therapist, Routledge, New York, USA McKee, C 2017, pers. comm., 17 January 64 Dalley, T, Rifkind, G & Terry, K 1993, Three Voices of Art Therapy: Image, Client, Therapist, Routledge, New York, USA Yip, A 2017, Myuran Sukumaran s artistic voice is raw, premature and unsettling, The Conversation, 13 January, accessed 9 March 2017, < 71 Sukumaran, C 2017, Myuran Sukumaran's brother on art's healing power, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 February, accessed 10 March 2017, <

8 74 Csikszentmihalyi, M & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988, Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, accessed 27 March 2017, < urpvtuuoqc0rj6si3buyufm5k#v=onepage&q&f=false> De Botton, A & Armstrong, J 2013, Art as Therapy, Phaidon Press Limited, London, England Yip, A 2017, Myuran Sukumaran s artistic voice is raw, premature and unsettling, The Conversation, 13 January, accessed 9 March 2017, < 87 Yip, A 2017, Myuran Sukumaran s artistic voice is raw, premature and unsettling, The Conversation, 13 January, accessed 9 March 2017, < 88 Sukumaran, C 2017, Myuran Sukumaran's brother on art's healing power, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 February, accessed 10 March 2017, < Friedman, M 2012, Art Helps People Live With Mental Illness, The Huffington Post, 23 May, accessed 5 December 2016, < Csikszentmihalyi, M & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988, Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, accessed 27 March 2017, < urpvtuuoqc0rj6si3buyufm5k#v=onepage&q&f=false> Dalley, T, Rifkind, G & Terry, K 1993, Three Voices of Art Therapy: Image, Client, Therapist, Routledge, New York, USA Van Lith, T, Fenner, P & Schofield, J 2009, Toward an understanding of how art making can facilitate mental health recovery Australian e Stuckey, H & Nobel, J 2010, The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature, American Journal of 106 Friedman, M 2012, Art Helps People Live With Mental Illness, The Huffington Post, 23 May, accessed 5 December 2016, < 107 Davies, C, Knuiman, M & Rosenberg, M 2016, The art of being mentally healthy: a study to quantify the relationship between recreational arts engagement and mental well-being in the general population, BMC Public Health, vol. 16, no. 15, accessed 7 December 2016, 108 McKee, C 2017, pers. comm., 17 January 109

9 110 Yip, A 2017, Myuran Sukumaran s artistic voice is raw, premature and unsettling, The Conversation, 13 January, accessed 9 March 2017, < 111 Sukumaran, C 2017, Myuran Sukumaran's brother on art's healing power, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 February, accessed 10 March 2017, < Brooks, K 2014, Study Says Making Art Is Good For Your Brain, And We Say You Should Listen, The Huffington Post, 9 July, accessed 7 March 2017, < 116 Brooks, K 2014, Study Says Making Art Is Good For Your Brain, And We Say You Should Listen, The Huffington Post, 9 July, accessed 7 March 2017, < 117 Brooks, K 2014, Study Says Making Art Is Good For Your Brain, And We Say You Should Listen, The Huffington Post, 9 July, accessed 7 March 2017, < 118 Csikszentmihalyi, M & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988, Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, accessed 27 March 2017, < urpvtuuoqc0rj6si3buyufm5k#v=onepage&q&f=false>. 119 Csikszentmihalyi, M & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988, Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, accessed 27 March 2017, < urpvtuuoqc0rj6si3buyufm5k#v=onepage&q&f=false> Van Lith, T, Fenner, P & Schofield, J 2009, Toward an understanding of how art making can facilitate mental health recovery Australian e Csikszentmihalyi, M 2004, Flow, the secret to happiness, video recording, TED, accessed 27 March 2017, <

10 Expressionism 2014, in Encyclopædia Britannica, accessed 9 March 2017, < 165 Expressionism 2014, in Encyclopædia Britannica, accessed 9 March 2017, < 166 Expressionism 2014, in Encyclopædia Britannica, accessed 9 March 2017, < 167 Expressionism - The Spirit of Expressionist Art 2017, ArtyFactory, accessed 9 March 2017, <

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