Art therapy is transforming the lives of people with chronic illnesses.
Art therapy is transforming the lives of people with chronic illnesses.
Epilepsy came out of the blue for west Aucklander Erica Tiedemann. She was 35 and about to begin postgraduate studies in neuropsychology when she began struggling with her memory and concentration. There were odd moments, such as the time that she suddenly couldn’t recall how to use her camera at her brother’s wedding. Her first seizure followed soon after. “I deteriorated very quickly and was soon having three or four seizures a day,” she says. “My whole life fell apart.”
Tiedemann, now 44, has uncontrolled epilepsy; even when she takes large amounts of medication, her seizures continue. Unable to work, study or drive, and dependent on her mother and daughter for support, she was feeling isolated from society. So when she heard about art therapy programme Artilepsy, at Auckland’s Māpura Studios, she signed up despite having no confidence in her artistic abilities.
It turned out to be a life-changing decision. Learning to paint, in an uncritical environment, has allowed Tiedemann to explore her creativity and emotions but also to spend time with other epilepsy sufferers.
“It’s a group where everyone understands everyone else,” says Tiedemann. “We can even laugh about seizures, because epilepsy can be funny – the places you have seizures, what you do after them.”
Art therapy courses are increasingly being seen as an effective way to help people cope with, and recover from, illness. A report published last year in the UK suggested that by prescribing arts activities to patients, GPs could reduce hospital admissions and save the health service money.
The potential for creativity to improve well-being goes far beyond the warm fuzzies. In the UK, the Strokestra programme, developed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, brought stroke patients and their carers together with professional musicians for creative sessions. They found that 86% of patients reported sleeping better and experienced reduced symptoms. A significant number also reported better movement, strength and stamina as well as improved memory and concentration.
Another UK programme, Artlift, which teaches the likes of poetry, ceramics and mosaics to patients with conditions including depression and chronic pain, recorded a
37% reduction in doctor visits.
Brian Barnett, marketing manager at Māpura Studios, started the Artilepsy programme after losing a brother to epilepsy. He says the studio’s art therapists are used to seeing creativity transform lives. In the initial programme, participants were taught to paint, then held an exhibition of their work. They learnt cartooning and created a comic book about their lives. And they also took song-writing and music classes that culminated in recording a CD.
Many of the participants were struggling financially and Barnett says one woman practised her art at home on the insides of cereal boxes and medication packs. For many, the Saturday-morning classes were the highlight of their week.
“At least 50% of the programme’s success was due to the camaraderie that developed,” he says. “They felt very comfortable with each other, and over an 18-month period we saw a real shift in mindset.”
Māpura Studios was established 20 years ago and offers creative therapy and art programmes to people living with disabilities and health conditions, as well as to the wider community.
Barnett says there is an increasing demand for their work and they are now expanding to offer classes in the wider Auckland area. He has seen a wide range of participants benefit from the creative sessions: the elderly, children living with cerebral palsy and workers dealing with job stress, anxiety and depression.
There is no cure for Tiedemann’s epilepsy, and everyday life is often difficult and frustrating. “I’m forgetful, I lose things all the time and I fall asleep everywhere, even at the bus stop,” she says.
But developing her creativity at Māpura Studios has gone some way to helping her come to terms with her condition. She has exhibited and sold her work, and has a commission for another painting.
“I used to hate filling in forms and having to write ‘unemployed’ under occupation,” she says. “Now I write ‘artist’ and that’s the best thing; it’s given me back a place in the community.”
Māpura Studios runs an annual art auction, featuring works by Māpura artists together with renowned New Zealand artists, to help fund its work. This year, it is on Saturday, May 12, at 6pm at Auckland’s Pah Homestead. For more information contact brian@mapurastudios.org.nz. To learn about the art programmes go to mapurastudios.org.nz.
The potential for creativity to improve well-being goes far beyond the warm fuzzies.