Art and movement as catalysts for insight into the human condition of depression.

Abstract

Objective: Despite arts advancement and advocacy in education, research, and clinical practice, the arts, including music, dance, theater, and visual art, continue to be largely viewed as stimulating and not necessarily scientifically sound disciplines. This article describes the intentional and methodical use of artistic inquiry to expand the grasp of the mental health condition of depression and suggest ways to engage with it.

Methods: Different art forms, dance/movement, collage, sculpting, photography, and watercolor were utilized in separate artistic inquiries to explore and better understand the phenomenon of depression, specifically the elements emptiness, hopelessness, and uncertainty.

Results: The engagement with art revealed that darkness promotes the germination of something new and valuable. Another discovery was that change is constant in life and can be a comforting fact considering that depression may feel interminable. Last, connection was found to be crucial. When two colors were blended, they yielded another hue and thus a novel outlook on life.

Conclusions and implications for practice: Artistic inquiry is not only an intuitive and freely accessible tool, but it also offers a unique understanding of the human condition that is rich in meaning and personally relevant. By methodically engaging with art during uncertainties or when facing a clinical or personal challenge, practitioners can increase their insight and develop exceptional and creative solutions that may contribute to psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).