Art Creation and the Mental Health: A Qualitative Study among Artists

Art Creation and the Mental Health: A Qualitative Study among Artists

Art therapy

Non-verbal Communication

Self-esteem

Well-being

Mental health

The article aims to examine the effectiveness of art therapy to maintain mental health. It is popularly believed that emotional catharsis in the form of art enhances positive mood, brings clarity to one's cognition, and so on. The study uses qualitative data obtained from open-ended and moderately structured interviews conducted among artists. The artists whose arts reflected originality rather than an imitation of a visible target such as portrait drawing are chosen for the study. The group is a mix of professional artists and self-taught artists. The study finds that the art therapy technique helps artists to communicate their thoughts, desires, and contentious emotions in a manner which is socially acceptable. The study says art helps people build self-esteem, bring positivity and self-confidence. Self-esteem, self-confidence and authentic identity are prerequisites for not only healthy performance and high productivity in organisations but also for becoming a fully functioning individual.

Balammal, Aruna

Artha Journal of Social Sciences; Vol. 19 No. 1 (2020): Artha Journal of Social Sciences; 9 - 25

0000-0000

0975-329X

Centre for Publications, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore

2020-01-01

Copyright (c) 2020 Artha Journal of Social Sciences

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

application/pdf

eng

info:eu-repo/semantics/article

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Peer-reviewed Article

text