Drawing in Health and Wellbeing: Marks, Signs and Traces

Philippa Lyon, Curie Scott

Research output: Book/ReportBook - editedpeer-review

Abstract

Drawing has an established history within medicine for learning, recording, investigating and discovery. This book demonstrates how drawing has now extended beyond the realm of medicine with relevance and value for a wide spectrum of health and wellbeing settings. This book brings diverse drawing approaches in the form of research and practical projects that will interest health professionals, artists, wellbeing practitioners, coaches and the more general reader.

Drawing has significant benefits for health, yet it is only recently that drawing for health and wellbeing has become a focus for formal research investigation and development. There is evidence that drawing helps us convey and understand complex illness experiences, potentially supporting a deeper, more holistic form of communication between patient and professional. It is also of popular interest as a mindful and meditative activity. Underlying all the chapters of this book is the principle that manual drawing such as sketching, diagrams, cartoons and many other forms of mark-making have important qualities in enabling people to learn, investigate, explain and express as well as potentially alleviate suffering.

The book presents research and practice-informed drawing approaches in relation to drawing for health and wellbeing. It is aimed at both patients and professionals and includes international and interdisciplinary perspectives. It outlines drawing approaches that support general wellbeing as well as drawing utilised for specific conditions such as dementia and autism, or specific contexts, such as working with young people and within education. The drawing approaches explained in this book can be utilised by individuals and groups within health and wellbeing settings and will be of immediate use for specialist health professionals and arts practitioners.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages240
ISBN (Electronic)9781350359871, 9781350359888
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

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