Art therapy and art education within a secure setting

Abstract

This paper examines the similarities and differences between art education and art therapy within a special hospital. The case study of a forty-two-year-old woman patient, Jane, is chosen to demonstrate these similarities and differences (in the education centre during art lessons). Her style of working was skilful and controlled in art lessons, whereas in art therapy sessions her style changed to being freer and less controlled. In art education, the model of working was on individual work, and in art therapy, the emphasis was placed on interpersonal group relationships, which was one of a number of critical issues for Jane.

For Jane the creative process was an attempt to find purpose and meaning in her life. This paper represents, through Jane, a process of doing, teaching and being, as an intuitive creative process.