Art Therapy and Political Violence With Art, Without Illusion

The impact of political violence, war, civil war and acts of terrorism on the individuals involved can be extensive. Art therapy can provide an effective means of expressing the resulting experiences of fear, loss, separation, instability and disruption. Art Therapy and Political Violence brings together contributions from all over the world and from diverse theoretical backgrounds. With contributions from Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Israel and South Africa, the book includes numerous clinical examples to vividly illustrate the main issues affecting art therapy. The practical issues involved are also discussed, including subjects such as the importance of working with both the internal and external worlds of the individual and sensitivity to cultural issues. Art therapists, psychotherapists and other mental health professionals, particularly those working in the context of political violence or in countries of refuge, will find the experiences recounted in Art Therapy and Political Violence thought-provoking and will welcome the wealth of practical information provided.

Debra Kalmanowitz, Bobby Lloyd, With Art, Without Illusion: Art Therapy and Political Violence. Anna Kalin, Julie Murphy, 'The Moment In and Out of Time': Reflections on Context and Timing in Art Therapy Interventions in Kosovo. Miriam Nabarro, Feast of Colour: Creating Something Out of Very Little: Art Making as Psycho-social Intervention with Children of a Forgotten War, Sudan. Siobhan McElroy, A Soldier's Story: Art Therapy Intervention in Sri Lanka. Tamar Hazut, From Dark Black to Bright Pink: The Power of Art Expression and Creation in Coping with Life Under Threat, Israel 2001-2002. Imelda McGeehan, Creativity from Chaos: An Art Therapist's Account of Art Work Produced in the Aftermath of a Bombing in her Community, Omagh, Northern Ireland. Stephanie Wise, A Time for Healing: Art Therapy for Children, Post-September 11, New York. Rajia Abusway, Rana Nashashibi, Remal Salah, Reema Shweiki, Expressive Arts Therapy: Healing the Traumatised: The Palestinian Experience. Hayley Berman, Transforming Objects in a Transforming South Africa. Debra Kalmanowitz, Bobby Lloyd, Portable Studio: Towards Relocating Home in the Mind, Former Yugoslavia. Diana Brandeburger, Silence in Exile: A Case Study of an Adolescent Asylum Seeker in London. Geertuida Helena Wertheim-Cahen, Art Therapy and Trauma, a Different Context, a Different Approach: Interventions in the Netherlands and Former Yugoslavia.

Debra Kalmanowitz: Art therapist at Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture in London.
Bobby Lloyd: Art therapist and supervisor, project manager and artist at On Site Arts, East London. Both are founders and co-directors of Art Therapy Initiative.