Surviving Through Art

As the talk on survival continues, as tough and grueling the experiences of survival might be, there are uplifting vices we can utilize to “survive”. As the fight on mental health continues to be a prominent topic in the world today, there are ways one can ease their mental stress, one way being through art therapy.  

Art therapy combines the creative process and psychotherapy, encouraging self-exploration and understanding. Art therapy uses imagery, colour and shape as part of its creative therapeutic process. With art therapy, one’s thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate. In a way, art therapy is just another form of communication. One can express feelings they have trouble expressing in other ways, through art.  

With the idea of communication, something extremely important to survival, art therapy allows others to talk through art. As art therapy became more popular, art hives, too, became a popular activity. Art Hives are an organized and safe space in which everyone is welcome as an artist. No matter your gender, race, sexuality, etc. Anyone is able to join and experience a secure environment in which you make art at one of the many stations said the organizer of the Art Hive set up. There are no rules, no limits, no anything. One can go and sit and create and not worry about their stresses of surviving this world.  

At Sheridan College, Art Hives have been popular for a few years now. Starting back in 2018, before the pandemic, they would display them throughout the three campuses. Sheridan College now has organized an art hive that occurs every Wednesday from 11-2 just on one of their campuses post-pandemic.  

Being an attendee of the art hive a few times, one can observe the differences between each participant. Whether it's the colour of their hair or to the program they’re studying, one thing is that everyone at that hive was getting along. Quite frankly, it’s the closest thing, if not the only thing, I’ve seen that is just flat out peaceful. There was conversation, light humming, colours, scraps, laughing, and a series of other noises. The participants, despite language barriers that some had, could communicate through their art or just realize the beauty in each other's art work or just ability to create stuff through scraps of paper, fabric, beads, wire, the list goes on.  

Art therapy and the creation of art is something that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially as a resource for survivors of anything. Art therapy helps with exploring confused or difficult thoughts and feelings, while also encouraging positive feelings too. In tough times, turn and enjoy the control and expressive qualities of making art.

A Visionary Dream

By Iman Masud,Ian Ndegwa,Amal Shaban,Maryan Siyad,Brian Sang and Ashley Mbithi

Art has been used by people as a means of survival for centuries. The ability to create and express oneself through various forms of art can be a source of comfort and hope, especially during difficult times.

Ndung’u Mbithi,23, a musician, sings, plays instruments, and also studies music. He is currently doing his bachelors in music. Mbithi realized music was more than just a hobby when he finished high school and wanted to pursue it more. 

“I wanted to do music, and I could not think of anything else that I'd want to study. I'm all in, ready to spend the whole rest of my life doing it,” he said.

Mbithi added that the quarantine period and isolation were a time in his life when music helped him and it was the most difficult period of his life.

“That was the first time I recorded music. That was the first time I put out some music because it was more that if I’m not doing this, what else am I doing?” he questioned himself.

According to Mbithi his music changed over time and helped him grow and evolve as he touches sensitive topics in his songs, in addition to that, he puts up a song that would be well received by his fans and they grow with him.

“I feel like I've gotten to a point where I could release whatever I want, I could discuss any topic I want because it's my music, I'm the only one who could really pick what I want to put out there. So, the vulnerability has come about. And, I’ve been touching on more sensitive topics in my music,” Ndung’u said.

In regard to sensitive topics, he has a couple of songs about mental health and suicide, these songs helped him from going to a deep end, his hit song “Sitangojea” meaning I won’t wait is one that pulled him out of a dark place.

“This song did pull me out of my depression. Now I'm more open to speaking about these things openly because of the things that happen and the things that go through so many people's minds, you and I are glad I have the platform to share,” he said.

He explained how he tries to help himself by picking up a guitar and writing in prose form and after a while, they develop into songs.

“After a while, I become so consumed in these things, it could take me up to two months to write one song. And sometimes I feel like it's a bad thing that I feel like I'm just postponed in those thoughts. But really, it's the best coping mechanism I've ever had. 

Because when I write these songs, I get so excited that I'd want to share them. Sometimes I hold on to them because I know that all I have, and that's me. But every time I release them and I go into a dark place again, I try to write more music. So really, it's a cycle, and I've learned to love it because that's my lifeline,” he finished.

Another artist who uses art as a way to survive is 25-year-old Maria Besie Barasa who is an artist extraordinaire. She started as a graphic designer, did photography, and finally got herself into set design and art.

She was assaulted by one of her relatives in 2021 and it was difficult for her to cope with anything, even though she was doing all the work needed to get better.

 “The only thing that seemed to help was creating art. So, creating and constantly putting out digital art and all other forms of art I was particularly doing at that moment helped me get over that rough patch. I'm not saying that therapy didn't help. It helped a lot. But also, the therapy in conjunction with the art, got me out of that bad space,” said Maria.

She creates art that empowers women and the queer society, where she shows queer joy, queer experiences, and female societal experiences.

“It's rare you see things like queer joy. A lot of women are not also living the best life here in our country and we need to be honest about that. So, for me, those are the two sectors I focus my art on, like divinity, queer joy, and female joy,” she explained.

Her belief is her art gives her joy and that’s her purpose in her life. She advises that people should not do art to get money since they will not enjoy it anymore.

“I'd say, stick to your gut and do it for you. Create for yourself. Don't create for the rest of the world. The rest of the world is going to catch up on your vision. Just create for you,” she finished.