Health Innovation: Art, Health and Wellbeing
Richard Potter
Visiting Lecturer at University of Brighton, Artist, Arts Facilitator & designer of 'creativity4wellbeing' (C4W)
“Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” Aristotle
Journaling that includes both creative writing and art is a powerful way to help people resolve inner conflict. A while back I took part in a ‘Writing for Recovery’ workshop at the University of Brighton that shifted my perspective to include the written word in my art workshops for young carers and people with Alzheimer’s. Artists might see this as combining ‘text and image’ but eyes glaze over when you use ‘arty’ terms.
It’s best to start from the bottom up and get people ‘doodling’ and mark-making around simple themes like ‘sun and moon’ or ‘dark and light’, which may give rise to self-expression in a more holistic, all-encompassing way. Our Western society seems to be left-brain dominated and yet we know, philosophically at least, that striking a balance between the two is better for our wellbeing. Combining language with art makes use of both hemispheres and looking at symbolism and dreams can give us access to the unconscious.
I know from personal experience that communities are crying out for creative hubs and for the formation of groups that can help people find meaning through purposeful activity, which will mitigate social isolation. Unfortunately the privatisation of public spaces, austerity and the resulting apathy and inertia make it increasingly difficult to form lasting legacies in our communities.
At the end of the day it is up to individuals to make a difference, to find spaces, take a chance and get the ball rolling. Any group, whether it’s an art, singing, Mindfulness or poetry group for instance, takes time and perseverance to create but the rewards can go well beyond the initial idea.
We clearly need health innovation around the notions of creating belonging and meaning in our fragmented and socially isolated communities, where rooms are made available for new ventures and where profit and self-enrichment cease to be the overriding concern of its citizens. www.creativity4wellbeing.com is one way that I am pushing for change.
Copyright ? 2017 by Richard K Potter BA Hons PGCE MA www.creativity4wellbeing.com and www.richardkpotter.wix.com/richard