KitaArtBersama Therapist's Perspective: Exploring the role of Neurographic Art in mental health

Journal reflection: Exploring the role of Neurographic Art in mental health 

#KitaArtBersama

I came across neurographic art a few years back and have been wanting to include it in my art practice. Recently, I was experiencing some internal conflicts, and there was a voice inside me calling for artistic expression.

Last month, I dedicated myself to creating three neurographic artworks each week in June (Figure 1 - 3). I found the process to be meditative, therapeutic, and calming. The visual symbols in these series of artworks narrated a journey of internal healing for me.

What is neurographic art? Originating from the mind of Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev in 2014, neurographic art invites participants to express their subconscious through abstract drawing. This process is not only therapeutic but also profoundly meditative, allowing one to explore the depths of their psyche through lines and shapes.

The initial stage of creating spontaneous lines felt liberating and grounding, as if I were releasing my inner thoughts and emotions onto the paper. The seemingly chaotic lines started to take on a life of their own, and I began to see patterns and shapes emerging. It was as if my mind was finding order within the chaos, creating a visual representation of my inner landscape.

The act of rounding off edges to create circles felt symbolic, representing the smoothing out of life's rough edges, the resolution of inner conflicts, and creating a safe space to contain the chaos. As I worked through this process, I felt a sense of calm and clarity washing over me. The repetitive motion of my hand and the gradual transformation of the drawing became a form of active meditation, grounding me in the present moment.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the incorporation of color. Adding colors to my drawing felt like breathing life into it, infusing it with energy and emotion. I chose colors intuitively, guided by how each hue resonated with me at that moment. The final piece was a vibrant tapestry of my subconscious mind, a visual diary of my inner journey.

Neurographic art has opened a new avenue for me to understand and express myself. It is a practice I plan to continue, especially in introspecting my art therapy practices.

🌼Ling In🌼 

July 11, 2024

In this safe, held, and contained space, I invite honesty and acceptance and simply focus on engaging in my creative-making and reflective visual journaling, on finding ways to express, empower and build inner resilience. 

This blog is intended only to record my own art practice and reflective visual journaling. 

[All images and texts belong to the artist/writer.]