In Art We Trust

I often get asked why I chose expressive arts as one of the major niches in my practice. No doubt that I was introduced to different forms of art at the age of 3, but more than the encounter, art was an escape.

Now for a 3-year-old who hardly had any idea about what emotions are? What does art truly mean? Keeping aside all the traditional perspectives, I was just happy being around art, and as I grew up, I wondered why.

Now that I think about art, I think of it as a lie detector test, but not in a very literal way. As Sakar Narula sir says, even the scribble you create on a sheet of paper means something. You cannot run away from your art pieces as it can give you reality checks with each masterpiece, just like your unfiltered best friend.?

When words fail us, art steps in to communicate. It allows us to explore feelings that are too complex or painful to articulate. Engaging in art means we are engaging with the unconscious, uncovering parts of ourselves we may not even be aware of, and we can finally walk into the portal where our hidden fears, joys, and traumas come to light.

For instance, consider someone who has experienced significant loss. They might find it difficult to express their grief, but through drawing, they could depict a shattered heart or barren tree, making visible the pain that words cannot capture. This externalization is crucial—not just it transforms intangible emotions into something tangible, but for us as therapists it really helps us to dive deeper into the client's emotions with ease.

One of the most fascinating aspects of art is its ability to shift perspectives. Much like looking through a kaleidoscope, it allows us to view our emotions from different angles. What once seemed overwhelming can evolve into something more manageable, even beautiful. True healing occurs at the intersection of art and mind, where unspoken feelings are voiced, and hidden truths come to light.

So, the next time somebody asks about my choice, I am not sure if I would be able to recite the same story to them, but instead, my answer would be, “The true masterpiece isn’t the art you create, but the healing you undergo along the way.”.