Expressive Art Group – 28 October create . destroy . transform

This month we will be revisiting a trauma informed art therapy task which also embodies an intrinsic element of the creative process (and happens to feel very relevant at this time of change!): Create, destroy, transform.

We will be using art materials to explore this theme in the Expressive Art Group for staff on Wednesday night (see Teams link at the bottom of this post). Here is a list of materials to have handy for the group:

Glue, paper, scrap paper – like old letters or cards, magazines (if you have any), scissors. Optional: paint, a jar of water, paintbrush, drawing materials such as charcoal, pencils or pastels.

If you can’t join the group on Wednesday evening you can do a version of Create, destroy, transform on your own without any art materials. Here are a couple of ways:

Go on a walk and collect natural objects that catch your eye.
Find a quiet spot where you can arrange these objects into a pleasing composition. Spend some time creating an installation with your objects. Once you are happy with it, photograph your result.
Now destroy your installation (you can kick it, or wipe it out with your hands, tear up, crush or break some of your objects). Take a moment to notice how you are feeling. Photograph the destruction.
Create a new installation in the same spot with the remains. You can incorporate some new objects too. Take a moment to notice how you are feeling. Photograph the final product.

Find some old magazines (you can include old letters and printouts too)
Tear up selected pages
Spend some time sticking these torn strips / pieces of paper onto a page to create a pleasing picture.
If you like you can take it further: Destroy your picture by tearing it up. Take a moment to notice how you are feeling.
Create a new picture out of the torn up remains of the original. Photograph the final product.