Art therapy

As a medium that offers an indirect and non-verbal means of expression, art can prove to be more effective and accessible for torture survivors who may have difficulty articulating themselves.

While some clients are naturally creative and passionate about art, others are referred to art therapy because they are socially isolated and would benefit from an informal and friendly atmosphere.

Men, women and children are offered art therapy where they can work across several media, including drawing, painting and sculpting. Typically, clients use art to vent anger, express sadness, terror or fear, as well as joy and hope.

The MF offers torture survivors various art therapies, including specialist groups for children (HL to Children and Family page) (see below), and women (HL to Groups page).

Open arts studio

Available one day a week at the MF's London centre, the Open Art Studio welcomes clients to drop by at any time for any period to create art.

There is a therapeutic culture of thinking and interpreting in the studio, where art allows the imagination to unravel visually, making the unconscious real, alive and less threatening.

The studio provides a sense of community and belonging, a space where emotion is welcomed and held, through the therapist, the clients and in the process of creating art. It also provides an informal place for individual reflection and social discourse.

Although there is no set structure to the day, conversation arises organically when a client is ready to disclose their experiences, whether to the therapist, to others, or both.

Tania Kaczynski, studio therapist, says: "Making a mark on paper ties us to a universal and timeless human need to explore visually and announce on paper - or through any other medium - our own personal story. Art making in a social space, gives the potential to move from isolation to integration. The Open Art Studio provides an arena where this may happen."

Working with children

The MF offers art therapy to children who have experienced a high level of political violence, separation, loss and change.

Torture surviving children's experiences can be unspeakable but the creation of art allows for their concerns to be expressed symbolically or metaphorically.

Art therapists are trained to know when to address the emotions or concerns that emerge through art and how to comment and reflect on these for the benefit of the child's recuperation.