Page 51 - ART FORM AND MENTAL HEALTH - Ingrid Pénzes

INTRODUCTION
Application of art materials such as pencils and paint are the core of art therapy and described by many art therapists (Hinz, 2009; Hyland Moon, 2010; Kramer, 1975; Naumburg, 1966; Rhyne, 1973; Rubin, 2011). The central use of art materials is what distinguishes art therapy from the other arts therapies and from other psychotherapy approaches (Malchiodi, 2012). Most literature describes the use of ‘art’ within the context of the on-going therapy to enhance clients’ psychological well-being (e.g. Hill, 1948; McNiff, 1992; Schaverien, 2000; Smeijsters, 2008a, 2008b, 2008c, 2011, 2012). Within this literature two perspectives can be recognized; ‘art in therapy’ and ‘art as therapy’. The perspective ‘art in therapy’ or ‘art psychotherapy’ is based on psychoanalytical and psychodynamic theories and emphasizes the role of the art product as an object of transference and countertransference within the relationship between client and therapist. The perspective ‘art as therapy’ focuses on the inherently therapeutic nature of art making and the primary role of art materials.
Some authors theorize the application of art materials in art therapy assessment (Hinz, 2009; Hyland Moon, 2010; Malchiodi 2012). Art materials can be placed on a continuum from high to low structure based on their properties (Hyland Moon, 2010; Malchiodi, 2012). Art materials with properties that provide high structure are easier to control, whereas art materials that have low structure are more fluid and more difficult to control and evoke different art making experiences (Malchiodi, 2002; Schnetz, 2005; Virshup, Riley & Sheperd, 1993). Hinz (2009) elaborates the role of art ‘media’ in the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), based on the work of Kagin and Lusebrink (1978). The ETC describes that art materials with high structure evoke more cognitive experiences, whereas fluid art materials evoke more affective experiences. The ETC links clients’ art materials preferences to overused or blocked styles of information processing. Information processing is organized in bipolar levels, i.e. kinestetic-sensory, perceptual-affective and cognitive-symbolic. The left ‘pole’ represents cognitive styles and the right ‘pole’ emotional styles of information processing. The way a client processes information influences psychological behaviour, emotions and cognitions that influence coping skills and attitude towards new situations and challenges in life.
Yet, research on the function of art materials in art therapy assessment has remained scarce. One of the main goals of art therapy assessment
Material interactionand art product in art therapy assessment | 49
3