An Exhbition or Gallery refers to an event showcasing works of art or creative processes. In this context showcasing artworks such as paintings, drawings ot sculptures provokes cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physological responses for both the viewer and the artist. The neurocognitive act of communicating, observing and creating artworks is a complex action that appears to be something only humans do.
In 1922 an art historian and psychologist Hanz Prinzhorn published a work titled, “Artistry of the Mentally Ill”. The work cited over 6000 artworks created by patients reseaving treatment inside European mental asylums.
This generated the movement that recognized art done by the mentally ill as its own branch of the arts. Without this piece of research the Art Therapy pioneers used as a stepping stone, we would not have such strong grounds in the vality of art therapy let alone the means to exhbit the works of the patient.
Born in 1931, Harriet Wadeson was one of these pioneers of Art Therapy.
She worked towards creating the first AT masters program while writting numerous articles and books; thus includes one of the first books in the field, Art as Psychotherapy (Wiley). Wadeson was clear in her opinion of exhibition stating, “ If the purpose of the art sessions is a form of psychotherapy, art exhibits of the work are not appropriate” (qtd. Vick). Luckily for the clincians today, the ethics defined by the American Art Therapy Association choose instead to defer to the Judgment of the therapist (qtd. Vick). The AATA suggests that the exhbibution of artwork may be done provided its in the benifit of the client to disclose typically confidental information, and the client gives their informed/written consent.
Conventional fine artists are usually invested in a topic. These topics can include but are not limited to; political commentary, culture, 9social commentary and/or personal interests. Using their artwork as a vessel they convey a dialogue with the public perhaps to ensite a new perspective on the topic. When attending an exhibit at a gallery artists give conversational frameworks evaluating the thematic experience as well as aesthetic experiences, and the commercial value of their work.
In comparison, the individual who creates in the art therapy context uses imagery, creative experiences, and art resources to process a transformational period. The body of work heavily influenced by mental health and well-being. These works produced in Art Therapy belong to those who often do not hold artistic positions in everyday life, but instead are engaging with themselves as individuals through art in this experience. The individual is not typically concerned with composition, technique, skill or aesthetics in the way a convential fine artist is. The individual instead is preoccupied with the experience of Art Therapy itself. The individual focuses on relationships between the creator and material, and/or between conscious and unconscious physiological components.