We the Art Therapists: Democracy Through Creative Action

In the early days of 2020, I caught the tail end of a superhero display at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History (NMAH). The glass cases included costumes and props from characters such as Wonder Woman, Captain America, and La Borinqueña. I then wandered the floors and ended up spending the most time in “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.” The comic books and props of fantasy heroes and heroines were replaced with document facsimiles, ballot boxes, election promotions, “I Voted” stickers, and protest signs. The exhibit offers over two centuries of attempts to actualize the opening sentiment of the U.S. Constitution’s preamble, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union” by articulating “the history of citizen participation, debate, and compromise” for “changing political ideals and principles of the nation [U.S.], citizenship in a pluralistic society, and political participation and engagement” (National Museum of American History, n.d, para 1). In contemplating the various artifacts, I noticed that I vacillated between a range of reactions—hope and cynicism, pride and frustration. There is certainly an excitement about being part of the on-going U.S. experiment of democracy, yet at the same time frustration that there continues to be a gap between professed ideals and an unfulfilled reality.

Many people mistakenly define democracy solely as elections. Although an important component, Munck (2016) emphasizes that a democracy “embodies the values of political freedom and political equality” and “political institutions that enable a majority of citizens to change the status quo” (p. 2). Important democratic traditions include the rule of law, protection of minorities, independent judiciaries, free press, and, notably, the right of assembly. In recent years, demonstrations were seen in force across the globe as citizens made their voices heard on climate change, economic equality, gun control, reproductive rights, voter suppression, criminal justice reform, and definitions of citizenship as well as equality based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other factors (Jackson, 2016; National Public Radio, 2019).

It is an interesting time to be reminded of democracy. For many, the recently ended decade of the 2010s is associated with the primacy of images as central to communication with the launch of the image-centered social media platform Instagram and flourishing of emojis (a significant upgrade from earlier emoticons) that turned text messages into hybrid hieroglyphics. Just as importantly, social media provided pro-democracy and social justice images in closed, struggling, transitional, and established societies. These calls began early in the decade with the Arab Spring and continued to reverberate in Lebanon, Syria, Hong Kong, Iraq, Chile, Algeria, Venezuela, Russia, India, United States, and other places. Even though there has been an alarming rise in dictatorial control and strongman politics, as well as a weaponized use of social media as a source of disinformation, there also have been several successes. A 30-year civil war in Colombia ended with both parties agreeing to settle future differences through political processes. Military leaders and opposition leaders in Sudan agreed to establish civil society institutions. Whereas Europe saw a resurgence of far-right nationalism and isolationism, as epitomized by Brexit, the “Pact of Free Cities” united the capitals of Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland in a show of human rights and collaboration to counter rising authoritarian rule. What has been clear from the regressions and resurgences is that democracies exist as a process that requires constant commitment and re-commitment from its citizens and leaders.

Looking more specifically at art therapy, it may be obvious how art promotes democracy by visualizing invisible injustices, providing a forum for representational voices, offering spaces to bring people together, and facilitating activities to imagine new solutions (Erenrich & Wergin, 2017; Korza, Shaffer Bacon, & Assaf, 2005; Viveros-Fauné, 2018). What is often overlooked is how democratic ideals undergird Western-oriented psychotherapy. Of course, the profession flourishes in various types of governments. Still, cherished therapy convictions such as autonomy, self-determination, dissent, healthy skepticism, listening to minority voices, and mutual inquiry are all components of a functioning democracy (Anderson, 2012; Ernø, 2016). Schmid (2012) summarizes these ideas in signifying that it is because psychotherapy is built on democratic ideals that it has lasting power; otherwise, helping is merely advice-giving or consolatory affirmations that do little to effect change. In reciprocity, the mental health fields strengthen civil society through mobilizing communities, advocating for reform, uniting macro- and micro-obstacles to wellbeing, identifying causes of conflict, and enacting solutions (Jaysawal, 2013; Truell, 2018). As further evidence, health researchers demonstrate that individuals living in democratic societies may benefit from overall quality of life (Krueger, Dovel, & Denney, 2015; Radcliff & Shufeldt, 2016).

In This Issue

It is through the lens of how democracy and art therapy relate to one another that I more fully appreciate the contributions to this issue. Although I know that these articles were written with how they can enhance client health and art therapist skill building, I can also see where they reinforce and enhance democratic systems.

A hallmark of democracy is respect for the individual and affordance of basic civil rights. This includes expanding who is included as a citizen but also ensuring rights regardless of whether that person is in the majority governing coalition or not. Marilyn Holmes’s thought-provoking cover art points to the barriers that get erected and the relationships that get distorted as a result of racism—and by extension, other forms of discrimination and oppression. Rebecca Arnold’s study of how art therapist grief impacts self and therapeutic alliance strengthens the notion that art-making makes the invisible visible and, in so doing, ensures more accurate relationships. In a parallel, Liza Hyatt’s reflections on her art performance demonstrate how public exhibitions mutually inform both the individual artist and audiences. All of these works indicate how art-making with intentional reflection opens the path of engagement.

Democracy is often messy, loud, and chaotic, but that is part of the process of change. Two articles call attention to the complexity of decision making. C. Estelle Campenni and Ashley Hartman’s research on mandalas demonstrates how framing an intervention, in this case, mandalas, can impact mood, anxiety, and mindfulness. It is tempting to see how the less structured mandala led to increased emotional expression and insight as a justification for more freedom. However, their work reveals the importance of a balance of freedom within an informed process. Jessica M. Hauck and Thomson J. Ling add to this idea by recognizing the benefit of a structured art-making process for identifying and responding to ethical dilemmas, thereby demonstrating that there is a component to art-making that enables discernment.

Lastly, democracies are fundamentally about their citizens. Two contributions reinforce the necessity to build theory and practice from grassroots and direct engagement. In their study of the implications of virtual reality for art therapy, Girija Kaimal, Katrina Carroll-Haskins, Marygrace Berberian, Abby Dougherty, Natalie Carlton, and Arun Ramakrishnan ground their ideas in the experiences of users and potential clients. Katherine Wardi-Zonna learns how immersing herself in clay offers lessons that parallel with Buddhism as a way to discover a new perspective on this art material. Rather than superimpose their ideas, both of these pieces situate their understanding through immersion.

Conclusion

Perhaps in some small ways, art therapists are heroines and heroes of democracy. With trust in the multifaceted capacities of art-making, we defend wellbeing with the strength of Captain America’s shield, preserve truth with the reliability of Wonder Woman’s lasso, and uphold inclusion with the determination of La Borinqueña’s superpowers.