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Art as Medicine

Creating a Therapy of the Imagination
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( 168 ratings, 10 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Art as Medicine explores the profound potential of expressive arts therapies to foster renewal in both art and psychotherapy. Shaun McNiff blends theoretical insights from archetypal psychology, mythologies, and influential writers with practical methods like storytelling, collaborative creation, and engaging directly with art. The book includes an illustrated analysis of drawings, paintings, and dreams, demonstrating how imaginative engagement can promote personal growth and transformation for all individuals, healthy or unwell.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in expressive arts therapy, psychology, creative healing, and those seeking alternative approaches to health and wellness through art.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Describes how the imagination heals itself through the creative process, and suggests therapy methods that involve performance, storytelling, dialog with images, and creative collaboration.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This book shows how the expressive arts therapies contain the potential for renewal in both art and psychotherapy. The author first describes the theoretical basis for his vision of art as medicine, citing the archetypal psychology of James Hillman, writers such as D.H. Lawrence and Friedrich Nietzsche, and mythologies from Mircea Eliade, Henri Corbin and British scholar Jane Harrison, among others.

He then discusses his methods, including interpretation through performance and storytelling, collaborative creation, and dialoguing with paintings, as opposed to talking about paintings. Finally, he offers an illustrated examination of drawings, paintings, and dreams, demonstrating how interacting with the products of the imagination can lead to growth and transformation for the healthy as well as the sick.

The author also wrote The Arts and Psychotherapy, Educating the Creative Arts Therapists, Fundamentals of Art Therapy, and Depth Psychology of Art.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"This well-written book shows brilliantly the interplay between soul and sacred, art and shamanism, sickness and health. It is a mature product, combining lucid philosophy with hands-on experience, and contains profound insights into the human psyche." β€”Intuition

"The fast-growing field of expressive arts therapy recognises Shaun McNiff to be its most perceptive pioneer and articulate teacher. Art As Medicine clearly displays his gifts and solidly confirms his reputation." β€”James Hillman

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780877736585

Publisher: Shambhala Publications Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 October 1992

Country: United States

Imprint: Shambhala Publications Inc

Illustration: APPROX. 30 HALFTONES

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 346g

Pages: 248

About the Author

Shaun McNiff is internationally recognized as a founder and leading figure in the arts and healing field. University Professor at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is past president of the American Art Therapy Association and the author of several other books including Art As Medicine, Trust the Process, and Creating with Others .

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    Art-based research uses artmaking as a mode of inquiry and presents the art as evidence. While sharing many qualities with science, it is distinguished by the unique character of each expression and personal dimensions that must also transcend their creators in establishing relevance to others. Artistic intelligence is a gestating, unpredictable, and often challenging crucible of creation that furthers discovery...
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  • Imagination in Action
    The theory and practice of creativityβ€”culled from the lifetime of experiences of an esteemed art educator and therapist. With proven techniques he's discovered for jump-starting the creative process. A guide to the theory and practice of creativity, with proven techniques for jump-starting the creative processβ€”from an esteemed art educator and therapist. There are art teachersβ€”and then there's Shaun McNiff. An...
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