In art, the use of colour, shape and symbolism can convey emotions that are beyond words. Art therapy gives people the chance to express themselves, their thoughts and feelings, and their own experiences through these colours and images.
The selection of colour or image can help transmit an emotion of which the person is not even conscious and thereby gain insight into the person. Each colour and symbol doesn’t have a universal meaning.
Each individual has their own experience of the world. In the guided art therapy sessions, the therapist examines the patient’s artwork and tries to interpret it in terms of their emotions and experiences.
Table of Contents:
- What do colours, shapes, and symbols represent in art therapy?
- How can colours reflect a person’s emotions?
- How does art therapy help uncover hidden emotions?
What do colours, shapes, and symbols represent in art therapy?
- Colours: It is an aid to express emotions that cannot be expressed with words alone. The choice of colour by an individual reflects emotions such as happiness, sadness, fear or even hopefulness. In art therapy, people use colours to get to know their emotions better.
- Shapes: The shapes that a person makes are the signs of their thoughts, emotions and experiences. Curved and soft shapes are a sign of peace or comfort. Conversely, jagged/irregular shapes are indicative of stress, fear and/or emotional tension. Each form has a meaning of its own to the individual’s experiences and emotions.
- Symbols: Symbols in an artwork may express a memory, relationship, dream, fear or even a very special experience. The same symbol can be interpreted differently by different people. In art therapy, the art therapist interprets the meaning of the symbols, but does not impose any rigid interpretations.
How can colours reflect a person’s emotions?
Colours can help people express their feelings in a simple and natural way. Sometimes it’s difficult to express what you feel. What colours a person chooses in art therapy can be an expression of happiness, sadness, fear, anger, hope or peace.
There is no right or wrong colour, and the same colour can mean different things to different people. The meaning depends on a person’s own experience, memories and feelings.
By looking at these choices of colours, people can be more aware of what they are feeling inside and understand their emotions better.
The art therapy counselling in Pune is led by a trained art therapist, providing an opportunity to express oneself, become aware of feelings and heal, all in a safe, caring and non-judgmental environment.
How does art therapy help uncover hidden emotions?
The contribution of art therapy to the unveiling of inner feelings is based on the fact that it gives a safe and easy way to communicate what is felt inside. There are times when one is unable to put their emotions into words and at times does not even understand them.
It means that sometimes talking is just not enough. Painting, drawing, colours and other creative actions permit emotions to flow naturally and without pressure. Artwork can reveal emotions, memories and thoughts, which the person has never known before.
An expert art therapist at The Movemeant Stories helps a person to review and understand their work. This is a non-judgmental process and encourages self-reflection.
Conclusion
Colours, shapes and symbols are used to express repressed emotions, and art therapy is one of the simplest and most effective techniques. Art therapy makes a person emotionally aware, less stressed and helps to heal one’s emotions.
If you wish to explore the depths of your feelings in a safe environment, book yourself for art therapy counselling in Pune, only at The Movemeant Stories.
FAQs
Can art therapy help kids?
Children can definitely get help from art therapy, because it gives them an easy way to express their feelings by drawing and colours, especially when they can’t put their emotions into words.
Are there particular methods of doing art therapy?
No, there are no special ways of doing art therapy. Each drawing, colour and symbol is unique and personal and says a lot about one’s feelings and experience.
And what if I don’t understand my own drawings?
That’s perfectly fine. The therapist will gently guide you to your own artwork and the feelings it represents.
