Joy Gerrard (b. 1971), Assembly/450, 2011, polished stainless steel. The Atrium, Chealsea and Westminister Hospital
There is something inherently healing in the act of viewing art or being in a mindfully designed space. Some may argue that certain artworks, performances or spaces are more healing than others. This article proposes “Transformational Art” as a term to describe art made by professional artists which has a transforming and/or healing effect on the viewer. It also highlights when, why and how it should be distinguished from the practice of Art Therapy.
One of the key differences between Transformational Art and Art Therapy comes down to the relationship of the final art object and its quality. According to an article by Nick Darlington, creators do not have to be skilled artists to benefit from the healing effects of art. His article cites research by Girija Kaimal, Kendra Ray & Juan Muniz (2016) and an experiment where participants worked with modelling clay for 45 minutes. While close to half reported to be a novice in art creation, 75% of people demonstrated lower cortisol levels which provides support for the assertion that the majority benefits from art-making. While this is a wonderful Art Therapy practice it is different from Transformational Art.
Joy Gerrard (b. 1971), Assembly/450, 2011, polished stainless steel. The Atrium, Chealsea and Westminister Hospital
The defining feature of Transformational Art is that it is produced by a professional artist; referring to a person who is regularly exhibiting in public art galleries, is recognized by their peers and has either devoted significant time to learning the skills associated with their craft or has an institutionalized education in Fine Arts. It is through this discipline and devoted training that the value of quality is achieved in Transformational Art. This isn’t to say that a person cannot be both a professional artist, therapist and client creating Transformational Art but, that the role of professional artist must come first.
Transformational Art assists in healing through its quality.
116 Prince William Street, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
A great example of this is the aesthetics of built heritage or contemporary architecture. New research conducted by architects and neuroscientists examined different effects of light, ceiling height, and aesthetics in architecture to health, wellbeing and mindfulness. For instance, Bermudez (2014) conducted an fMRI study to capture the effects of “Contemplative Architecture” versus “Non- Contemplative Architecture” on the brain. By “contemplative,” Bermudez is referring to buildings designed with contemplation in mind such as museums, cathedrals, and libraries. The findings showed that the brain did behave differently when exposed to images of “contemplative architecture” and that the experience of contemplative buildings mirror neural correlations to mindful and meditative states. These altered states created by looking at quality architecture can greatly assist individuals who are struggling to heal. The idea of “Contemplative Architecture” could easily be applied to other forms of professional installation art.
It is important to distinguish the differences between Transformational Art and Art Therapy out of respect for the devotion to the discipline or academic rigour. It is generally understood that while a professional artist might incorporate alternative healing modalities into an artwork and assist people in various forms that, unless properly trained, they should not take on the title of therapist or treat conditions that should be evaluated by a doctor, psychiatrist or licensed counsellor. When dealing with certain conditions like disease and mental illness is important to be trained and not make the condition worse by triggering trauma. This is not to say that Transformational Art cannot lift the spirits and assist someone with mental illness to become mindful, relaxed or to reduce stress however, that artist should not be in the position of treating that person’s depression. The difference is in the language and the perception by the client of what the artist or therapist/doctor is offering. Artists can assist clients through art while doctor treats a patient.
This should not deter artists from working with groups of people suffering from depression or serious illness, especially if it is consultation with a therapist. Artists offer a unique perspective from their life experience and should work with these groups but, they should do so as the artist and not as an art therapist. Another way to look at the difference might be to see working with an artist as similar to a life coach who offers guidance based on their life experience and unique training. This type of life guidance is different from the process of therapy and counselling. One may speak with an artist or life coach to discover their life purpose or connect with their creativity which can assist the individual however, they should be advised to seek the help of a licensed counsellor or therapist for the treatment of depression.
Detail of Column, 122 Prince William St, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Similarly, a therapist (unless properly trained) should not be in the position of determining the aesthetics of artwork or designing the architecture of a building. This is not to say that art therapy exhibitions of client’s work should not happen at all in a public gallery, they do have significant educational value and can often be visually pleasing, but, they should not be mistaken for professionally made artworks by artists who have devoted their life to the discipline of aesthetics and the skills of their craft.
Society should consider the subtle and long-term damages that could come with a lack of professionally made public artwork or architecture, as well as, the destruction of high quality built heritage. As mentioned in the research by Bermudez, the quality of design in architecture has an effect on our mental state. An abundance of professionally made architecture and public art can contribute to a healthy society over time and improve productivity.
“Good art enriches a person's life and experience. Great art enriches society as it appreciates over time, provokes experiences in a massive level, and draws in tourism dollars.”~ Robert Ogilvie
A great example of where the institution of healthcare meets Transformational Art is within the art collection of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The book, “The Healing Arts” discusses the evolution of the collection which now includes more than 2000 artworks of painting, prints, photographs, drawings, sculptures, digital art and site-specific works. The book claims the collection has a transformational “effect on a patient’s recovery including shortening their stay or reducing the need for pain medication.” In the essay by Grace Saull “The Healing Power of Art” she discusses Joy Gerrad’s “Assembly/450” from 2011 of polished stainless-steel spheres housed in the Atrium of the Chelsa and Westminster Hospital:
“Assembly/450 changes the way we see the hospital’s architecture as its hundreds of surfaces reflect its surrounded and the people in it, distorting and reconfiguring them. Like the best of art, it makes us stop and pause.” ~ Grace Saull
Tomato the Pacific Parrot, Still from Accademia, The Zoo, 2016, digital artwork. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
These stainless-steel balls mirror to the viewer a new vision of the hospital and of themselves. It is in this moment of “stop and pause” that one is in an altered state of consciousness and it is in this space that mindfulness, relaxation, stress reduction and healing can be achieved. Another piece Saull discusses in this essay is called “RELAX Digital” which is comprised of high quality commissioned moving content presented on digital screens. The hypnotic movement of these high-quality images creates a calming effect for patients as they go through medical procedures or are in waiting rooms. One of the more successful of these digital projects is “The Zoo”, featuring high quality artist images of animals designed specifically to distract and calm children within the emergency department.
There are great benefits to working with both Art Therapy and Transformational Art however, it is important to distinguishing the differences in order to respect what each discipline offers to society. It is in defining these differences that we can greater hone both practices, create space for both to exist and thrive, as well as, contribute to the positive evolution of society’s healing from multiple angles through art.
~ Dee Musgrave
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Darlington, Nick. Study Says Art Makes You Mentally Healthier, Even If You’re Not Good At It. Accessed August 2020: https://www.lifehack.org/429885/study-says-art-makes-you-mentally-healthier-even-if-youre-not-good-at-it?fbclid=IwAR3upBDRsbpvcpyeJFGHCR6B5CDO898QPQ5aqqx_frlaihmY_XsKZGwyyv8
Bermudez, J. (September 2014). “fMRI Study of Architecturally-Induced Contemplative States.” Paper presented at Conference organized by the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture in La Jolla, CA.
Scott, James et al. (2019). The Healing Arts: The Arts Project at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. London: Unicorn Publishing Group LLP
Girija Kaimal, Kendra Ray & Juan Muniz (2016) Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making, Art Therapy, 33:2, 74-80, DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832 Accessed August 2020: https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832
Otto, Frank. At Any Skill Level, Making Art Reduces Stress Hormones. Accessed August 2020: https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2016/June/Art_Hormone_Levels_Lower/