Below are paintings created out of personal physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. I drew on the values, qualities and intrinsic traits of my female ancestors, grandmothers, mother, sister and aunt to strengthen and replenish a wairua (spiritual essence) weary from unsupportive, unhealthy soul denigrating relationships in my life. Applying oil pastels on canvas with bare hands and working over a period of weeks the images appeared. I call them ngā kaitiaki wairua (spiritual guardians) feisty, strong, gentle, with mana (power), grace and integrity. Twenty years later, they still continue to tautoko (support), whakakaha te wairua (strengthen my spirit) in knowing where my true beliefs come from and uplift my value as a Māori woman to evolve and change what no longer serves me.
Kaitiaki wairua tuatahi with moko kauae - female chin tattoo.
Kaitiaki tuarua with taniko earrings, hand woven and added to picture.
Art Therapy is a creative approach to counselling the soul and isn't a new concept. It has been around for a long time and used in both clinical and community settings with a wide range of people across the board. It is a safe and gentle way to address issues that may be too painful to talk about or prohibiting language barriers, in which the images created will "speak" for themselves or happen over a process of time until the client feels comfortable enough to reveal the 'real' issues.
Art therapy also has the potential to work at a deeper level of the psyche and trigger repressed emotions that have lain dormant for many years. When these emotions are released in a supportive environment, the healing process can begin to take place. The length of time it takes depends on the client's ability to work through the process.
It has been said that art cannot be manipulated in the same way language can. Some clients will verbalize their problems while drawing or painting but the artwork does not always match the talk. During sessions the client is encouraged to talk about their artwork but it is not unusual for some to say they do not know what the artwork means in that moment. However with time, a review of all the artwork is conducted and the client will often see things they previously did not notice or perceive as relevant, this is usually when the unconscious process made 'visible' by the artwork, the notes taken by the therapist and the clients "insights" all come together. When contradictions are noted they can be challenged and addressed.
My way of working incorporates a wholistic approach which is led by the client inclusive of their own personal religious belief or spiritual understanding, an important addition in my work as a Māori art therapist from a cultural and personal level.