Enhancing intersectional thinking in the gallery: opportunities for art therapists-in-training

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intersectional thinking has been increasingly emphasised in the field of art therapy in connection to ethical practice. This article demonstrates examples of graduate art therapy trainees who participated in a collaboratively curated community-based social justice exhibition as a form of advocacy, serving as a way to expand intersectional thinking and self-reflexivity beyond the classroom. It presents the experiences, direct quotes, and artworks from art therapists-in-training as collaborating artists and authors. This opinion piece seeks to offer a possible suggested pedagogical application or supplemental strategy to enhance or practice intersectional thinking beyond the classroom. Implications for art therapy practical pedagogical strategies that relate to intersectional thinking are discussed. Unstructured Plain-language summary This article presents an overview of intersectional thinking in application to considerations for art therapists-in-training. It offers the importance of understanding intersectional aspects of individual identity, self-reflexivity, the development of cultural humility, and the application of intersectional thinking to social justice advocacy. These factors are arguably central to development of art therapists-in-training as they translate their learning to ethical art therapy practice. The article will represent the artworks and quotes of four artists/art therapists-in-training who explored intersectional thinking outside the classroom while co-curating exhibitions that promote consideration about social advocacy. Reflections from these art therapists-in-training may assist art therapy educators in engaging in opportunities that may offer the potential to enhance sophistication of intersectional thinking for art therapists-in-training.