This study was motivated by the fact that many artists help themselves to heal mental pathology through their art activities. In the field of art therapy, it is emphasized that creative art activities have an inherent healing function. Current art the...
This study was motivated by the fact that many artists help themselves to heal mental pathology through their art activities. In the field of art therapy, it is emphasized that creative art activities have an inherent healing function. Current art therapy in Korea has evolved from a psychoanalytic purpose, and it has been regarded as a foot of to psychotherapy rather than as ‘art as therapy’. While communicating with various clients, the researcher became interested in existential art therapy as an independent field, instead of just a tool of psychological analyses.
Existential art therapy is based on the theoretical framework of existential psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom and Rollo May. Unlike existing analytical psychotherapy, existential psychotherapy respects and considers individuals. That is, the basis for psychotherapy lies between a client and a counselor, instead of technical analysis and treatment methods. This philosophical approach to psychotherapy corresponds to modern philosophical aspects which emphasize the individuals. In addition, existential psychotherapy is closely related to the characteristics of expressive arts therapy, which emphasizes the creativity inherent in artistic activities.
In particular, Rollo May played a central role in applying existential philosophy to clinical situations and in developing existential art therapy by emphasizing creativity. May's creativity is the driving force for sublimation to a new existence and is at the heart of psychotherapy. May’s creativity is a source of strength to find the meaning of life as a presence and to sublimate the existence of mission from anxiety of death. According to May, the creative aspect of art is the true expression of the self, helps people face existential conflicts, and is understood as the core of mental health. This approach is linked to Yalom who argues for confronting death. He emphasized confrontation more than anyone else. He also emphasized that facing death can be psychotherapy for anxiety, instead of fear or avoidance of death. Yalom insisted that a friendly relationship between a client and a counselor and a sincere conversation make it possible to relieve anxiety about death.
Vincent van Gogh's case is a good example of the application of existential psychotherapy. Gogh suffered severe psychological difficulty, but he did not receive any psychological treatment. Despite his mental anxiety and pain, van Gogh continued vigorous creative activities for more than 10 years. Indeed, creative art activities were a treatment for him. Although temporal lobe epilepsy led Gogh to commit suicide, his paintings delivered the message of life and hope. The intensive yellow touch and the birds and stars of heaven are a symbol of resurrection and hope painted in vain. It is evident that the art of van Gogh was healing his diseases.
Among contemporary artists, Purume Hong emphasizes healing. She utilizes the unique techniques of oriental painting, light and the cross for psychotheraphy. Hong emphasizes aesthetic expressions and structures. This is a major reason that her paintings have a therapeutic function through creativity. Hong Purume’s aesthetic creativity led viewers of her work as well as herself to healing. Hong Purume claims that art activities have contributed to her psychological treatment through concentration and sublimation. They have the healing function to overcome anxiety over death.
Longing and confession for the Absolute are involved in the paintings of van Gogh and Purume Hong. Therefore, their existentialism is connected with transcendent existentialism. Existentialism emphasizes, however, that there is death, and anxiety cannot be reduced/eliminated by the existence of people. Rollo May also anticipated transcendental elements involved in existence, and Kierkegaard also stressed them. Similar to the existentialist approach, the transcendental approach to art history belongs to the humanistic approach, but it argues that human well-being is determined by the Absolute beyond the ego. Van Gogh and Purume Hong strongly argued for this existentialism, and the present study is also about art therapy based on transcendental existentialism.
Existentialism focuses on making people free from fear and fright. Thus, existential art therapy focuses on eliminating anxiety and adding meaning to human life through creative activities. This approach has the advantage of eliciting the potential power of human beings, but it may not be very clear how to apply it in a clinical setting because this approach emerged from philosophy. Ambiguity of standards of analysis and treatment may lead to confusion. Although treatment processes are dynamic, there might be deficiencies in consistency and universality. This is a future challenges for existential art therapy to overcome.
Art therapy in Korea has developed rapidly , but the scope is narrow because of the vulnerability of the principles. In the regard, existential art therapy will contribute to the development of art therapy by providing a new paradigm and a variety of approaches. The theoretical backgrounds of existential art therapy is still very weak and clinical experiences are limited. This thesis will contribute to providing a basis for discussion and research. The current study will hopefully extend and activate the therapeutic field of art therapy.