A Phenomenological Inquiry Into the Art of the Holocaust

Abstract

This article describes a phenomenological inquiry into the art and narratives of artists of the Holocaust. The author interviewed four Holocaust survivors and one child of a Holocaust survivor, each of whom provided a narrative account of their experiences of creating artwork in camps or ghettos during World War II. Phenomenological analysis revealed a psychological structure or essence of these artists’ experience based on identity, autonomy, comfort, hope, affirmation of existence, and witnessing. These findings are relevant to contemporary art therapy practice as they demonstrate functions of art to cope with and counter political duress.

Keywords:

• Holocaust art
• concentration camp art
• phenomenology
• art therapy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Hlavek

Elizabeth Hlavek, DAT, ATR-BC, LCPAT, is an art therapist in private practice in Annapolis, MD. Correspondence concerning this article should be sent to the author at [email protected]