Art That Heals: The Image As Medicine in Ethiopia

by Jacques Mercier

In part one, Art That Heals opens a methodological discussion of the idea of healing art, fast becoming meaningful today to the Western public. The history and ideas of healing images in the Mediterranean world (Greek, Jewish, Christian, Muslim) is traced. This ancient link between art and therapy, reestablished early in the twentieth century by Prinzhorn and Morgenthaler, is presented through their pioneer work with the art of the mentally ill. Finally, there is a discussion on the museum display of healing objects that is intended to reveal to the museum visitor the connection between the object and the body. An installation that provides an experience analogous to the actual healing process is presented as a model. Part two relates the most fundamental Ethiopian healing images to the various underlying ideas about their effectiveness. Some of those included are images having sacrificial status, images of fascinating spirits who dwell in our body, images representing the sum of the visions of the sick, and images which are both real and fake medicine. Images, chosen from the centuries-old parchment scrolls, are made of intricate abstract patterning and fascinating, semi-figurative images, some are derived from Greek Gorgon, and Christian iconography. A variety of other compelling media such as books of talismans, icons, church frescoes, and crosses dating from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries are also featured in connection with recurring images. In conclusion Art That Heals examines the connection between Ethiopian scroll art and other African art, inviting the reader to consider more general rather than mere inter-ethnic relationships. If African healing art is of so muchinterest today it is due to its discovery or rediscovery in a world where alternative medicines are being sought and our relationship to art is being questioned - Are we only passive admirers of aestheticized objects, or might we be deeply touched and changed by the objects we create

Genres: Ethiopia, Art

126 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kerfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review of an exhibit of Ethiopian healing scrolls in the NY Times led me to this book in the library. Mercier goes beyond the scrolls in a search for source and context, not just form, but "ways of being".

The images are stunning--I missed the exhibit, but I can imagine from these illustrations the strong visual effect of these works. The talismanic scrolls are life-size, made to mirror the patient; the mesmerizing ritual combinations of magic text, prayer, illustration, always the hypnotic eyes, geometric patterns, Solomon's seals, snakes, lions, angels, demons,...these works are complex and astounding.

The author shows that Ethiopian religious practice has multiple influences: Greece and the Mediterranian, the Old Testament and Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He relates both Ethiopian Christian symbols and talismanic scrolls to the use of Icons and discusses how the culture has adopted the symbol of the cross as opposed to the Crucifix for ritual and healing. He considers the shamanic image in relation to Art Brut. Mercier even speaks about the problems of showing works arising out of alien artistic/magic/life contexts in Western museums. It's a wide ranging book.

But most memorably, thre is the art. These are powerful images; scholars can infer sources and intent, but, as Mercier points out, they can never know for sure. Perhaps the shamans purposefully made them so. It is part of the mystery and wonder.

We bring ourselves to their creations; the mirror that is the talisman shows us that which we need to see.