Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul

by Shaun McNiff

The field of art therapy is discovering that artistic expression can be a powerful means of personal transformation and emotional and spiritual healing. In this book, Shaun McNiff, a leader in expressive arts therapy for more than three decades, reflects on a wide spectrum of activities aimed at reviving art's traditional healing function. In chapters ranging from "Liberating Creativity" and "The Practice of Creativity in the Workplace" to "From Shamanism to Art Therapy," he illuminates some of the most progressive views in the rapidly expanding field of art therapy:

   •  The "practice of imagination" as a powerful force for transformation
   •  A challenge to literal-minded psychological interpretations of artworks ("black colors indicate depression") and the principle that even disturbing images have inherent healing properties
   •  The role of the therapist in promoting an environment conducive to free expression and therapeutic energies
   •  The healing effects of group work, with people creating alongside one another and interacting in the studio
   •  "Total expression," combining arts such as movement, storytelling, and drumming with painting and drawing

Genres: Psychology, Art, Nonfiction, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2004

Reviews

[Yvlani L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Shaun McNiff was the Dean at Lesley College ( now Lesley University) He was also my advisor and Reader for both my MA & CAGS graduate Degrees .
So when I read anything he’s written, I hear his soothing voice with each word.
A phenomenal writer and teacher.
I immediately become transported back in time, when my thirst for how to use Art to heal was merely budding.
Thank you for your gifts Dr. Shaun McNiff.

[Jim Crotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully inspiring journey into the healing power of creative expression. McNiff expertly combines examples from his own experiences with a hopeful vision for how the artists within all of us holds the key to our own healing and the healing connection with others. I particularly enjoyed McNiff’s emphasis on the creative and healing power of storytelling.

[caseyyyyyyyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaun McNiff is absolutely brilliant. So many profound concepts and all feel intuitive. This is the second book of his I have read, and I'm already looking forward to the next. "I already know that art heals and everyone else does too".

[Audrey Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant! The essential book for anyone interested in the healing nature of art!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in grad school learning about art therapy. A definite for those in the field.

[Heiki Eesmaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like his ideas and passion about creative arts therapies but found it really tedious and repetitive to read.

[sharkysyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

(read this for school & work); really liked alot of the concepts and ideas ; ART IS HEALING

[Emilia Castus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got bored on virtual studio 255

[Matteo Cordero · Rating 1 out of 5]

Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul explores developments in art therapy and presents various approaches to how emotional and spiritual benefits can be achieved through the creation of artworks.

I think this study is okay. It didn’t change my life, and in fact, I found some parts quite boring.
Personally, I believe that art is something very practical — the less you say about it, the better.

[Danni Green]

Reading this book straight through in one go was not a good idea! There are a lot of good things in here, but it would have been better to read it one essay at a time with some space between to digest. In addition to being rather dense, I felt like the author said the same things over and over between the essays, which likely would have been less frustrating if I'd read the book with some space between the essays.

I'm going to hold off giving this book a rating until I've read some of the author's other work and perhaps I'll come back to this one at a future time and read it more slowly.