“The crudeness of reality” sure rings a bell in the current epoch of disaster and disenfranchisement. In these tough times art gives solace, inspiration, hope and a sense of community. From the beginnings of cave drawings to Banksy’s revered street art, to the vibrant Impressionist brushstrokes of Van Gogh, art has always been pivotal in human existence.
Creative New Zealand’s 2021 triennial research into New Zealanders’ attitudes towards and engagement with the arts shows the arts make a powerful contribution to our wellbeing as a nation and enhanced our ability to get through the Covid-19 nightmare.
On TV One’s Sunday renowned actor Robyn Malcolm articulated her fears that the Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Theatre programme would be unrecognisable if cuts proposed by Victoria University are confirmed later this month. Half the department’s staff would be lost and the theatre programme would be merged with the English Department.
“It’s so shortsighted, and it’s insulting to the arts community of Aotearoa,” she said.
Victoria theatre graduates have won Emmies and Oscars. Taika Waititi, Brett McKenzie and Jermaine Clement are just a few of the programme’s famous names. The demise of such an institution would be grim indeed. This is the very time that our arts need to be supported and cherished and within reach of all members of society.
After completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Chyna did a Masters in Art Therapy and then a post-graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy. She is now a bone fide registered Clinical Creative Arts Therapist, who is using her expertise to work with disabled youth using art therapy.
When I asked Chyna what a typical art therapy session with the pupils she worked with would be like, she explained it “would differ depending on whether it is a group or a one-on-one session”.
You don’t need to be good at art to do arts therapy at all. It is about the unique expression of creative processes that can allow us to imagine new possibilities, and process emotions or experiences.
It is about the process, not necessarily about having a finished art piece to hang on the wall.
“Art and play offer unique possibilities for non-verbal expression and meaning-making, they are ways to articulate the unspeakable. Experiences with art, music, movement and play work on a sensory level and young people who are struggling with self-regulation find these activities regulating and calming.”
She says it so much better than me!
There is an opportunity coming up for those interested to experience a taste of arts therapy, music therapy and dance movement therapy. This is open to all people (all ages), whānau and professionals in the disability community in Northland. It will be held on Saturday, September 30 at Te Ora Hou Community Centre, 104 Corks Rd, Tikipunga at 10am. For further information email info@maurituituia.com
As Pam Holland said: “Art speaks where words are unable to explain”. So give it a go - we all have something powerful to say.
Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust - Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei-based disability advocacy organisation.
