Archetypal Art Therapy is Cross-Cultural Art Therapy

Abstract

This paper uses the term “Archetypal” following C. G. Jung who took this term from St. Augustine because it means a typos (imprint), an archaic or primal pattern. It is considered to be a universal aspect which crosses cultural barriers and is thus valid for all cultures and individuals.

Such cross-cultural or archetypal elements are presumed to reach the deepest layers of the unconscious and therefore to be of primary importance in therapy.

Citing Navajo and Tibetan sand paintings, the Mandala is used as an example of archetypal symbols. Its use is mentioned in addition, in Medieval European alchemy, in prehistoric drawings and pictographs, in circular activities in space and time and in the art of children and dreams of modern persons.

Finally the role of modern art and artists in expressing unconscious, thus cross-cultural, feelings is discussed. From the post-Impressionists the expressive focus in modern art has been on inner and psychological concerns. This concern preceded that of depth psychology of Freud and Jung and art therapists. The contrast between materialistic science and Vico's New Science based on myth and human beginnings, is related to Jung's “objective or transpersonal” psyche which is therefore considered cross-cultural.

In the end it is suggested that the title of the essay could be turned around to read, “Cross-Cultural Art Therapy Is Archetypal Art Therapy.”