Art Therapy

Art therapy as practiced by HATA members is distinct from Clinical Art Therapy, Psychotherapy or even Expressive Arts Therapy. Anthroposophical Art Therapy is known to have come into existence since 1921 and has its roots in Anthroposophy – the philosophy and spiritual discipline brought forth by Dr. Rudolf Steiner. Steiner was a philosopher, scholar, researcher, mystic and artist. In trying to bridge the gap between science and spirituality Steiner founded the field of Anthroposophy – the study of human wisdom. He brought an academic and scientific approach to studying the super sensible calling it spiritual science. Steiner’s extensive teachings have had a profound influence on a number of fields like education through the Waldorf Schools, farming through Biodynamic techniques, medicine and also the arts.

He lectured extensively on the arts and their spiritual aspects. According to Steiner – art is a bridge to our spiritual home. Artistic activity is an expression of our own individual nature. It supports health and has transformative as well as preventative aspects.  He worked closely with many artists and doctors in order to establish a plethora of anthroposophic therapies, including Anthroposophic medicine.

ANTHROPOSOPHICAL ART THERAPY

Steiner’s work with the physician Dr. Ita Wegman led to the development of anthroposophical medicine and Dr.Margarethe Hauschka, a German doctor further developed the sphere of artistic therapy under the tutelage of Dr. Wegman, while working alongside her for over a decade in her clinic. The techniques, methods and understanding developed by Dr. Hauschka are the primary inspiration for Holistic Art Therapy as practised by HATA members.

Dr. Hauschka practiced at the Arlesheim clinic in Switzerland and founded the School for Artistic Therapy and Massage in Boll, Germany, in 1962 where she taught until her death in 1980.  She developed a unique painting process where colors, shapes and perspectives accompanied the patient in his illness and towards his recovery.

Hauschka Method

This work is primarily based on the watercolour wet-on-wet technique, originally developed by Dr. Margarethe Hauschka. Therapeutic painting as it was then called, was not just used for patients but also for its health giving properties, which often prevented diseases or illnesses from advancing to an acute state. Painting Therapy is the creative activity of painting applied in a way that can bring healing. The technique combines the artistic practice of painting with tenets of Anthroposophy to offer a non verbal and creative therapeutic medium. However, it does not reduce people down to labels, diagnoses or a collection of symptoms but addresses the whole person, by seeing not just what is dysfunctional but also what is functioning well and can be relied upon for resilience and recovery.

In this method participants explore and discover the myriad shades of their inner lives through the medium of organic watercolours on a wet paper. Working with watercolours on a wet paper activates an inner movement, moistens the soul. The colours help us gain access to the spaces words seldom can. Rhythm helps us to navigate these spaces and transform them into creative expressions, colour and movement make us reach our inner images. Each painting is a journey of self discovery full of wonder, excitement and challenges, much like life.

The exploration of this medium brings fluidity, creativity and more self-awareness even when practiced for self-development. You can find more information on the classes here.