Holist Art Therapy in an aboriginal community: a dream come true
In the middle of the night, in the heart of chaotic Turin, Italy, Kris had a vision: a group of dark-skinned young people gazing at her, accompanied by a voice whispering in her ear, “Do it for all those eyes.”
Six years later, on the other side of the world in Australia, this vision materialized: to provide young Aboriginal talents with the opportunity to express themselves creatively through multimedia products.
Kris became the Creative Coordinator and Holistic Art Therapist for the Kimberley Carer Group, an organization in Broome, Western Australia.
Following her journey as an animation teacher for various associations catering to young Aboriginal children and teens, such as Kimberley Kids Daycare Center and the Drop In Centre association, she found herself in a new reality. Here, individuals with schizophrenia, autism, and other conditions can discover methods to express their emotions and traumas through storytelling and visual art.
The case of Jason
The Kimberley Carers Group offered Kris the opportunity to work with a very special client with schizophrenia: Jason.
Jason was found in rather complex conditions, both practically and psychologically. Demotivation was a constant in his daily life: his house was messy and dirty, his mood was consistently low during every meeting, and it was even difficult for him to leave the house when called by the carer.
With small steps, Kris entered his world. She immediately noticed the incredible creativity that inhabited Jason’s spirit. Each wall of his house contained a message or inscription, and every corner was filled with garbage transformed into beautiful sculptures.
By exploring his interests, she discovered that Jason was passionate about music and horror movies.
Starting with a playful approach, the first creation came to life: an animation starring a devil thirsting for death and destruction. A truly explosive beginning, so to speak.
From listlessness to passionate participation in projects, Jason has become a real engine of constant creativity.
The inner demons were thus transformed into an external character to be observed, digested, and finally made fun of.
Little by little, the animations became less crude and more humorous, verging on the absurd (see the animation below).
Having created a multiple container for his ideas and provided him with a laptop,
the production of multimedia products has reached an unprecedented amount.
Not only have 10 mini animations been produced in one year, every day Jason produces at least one rap song a day entirely created by him with Garageband.
After a year, the house was tidier, the motivation was very high and every meeting with Kris, the creative production increased incredibly. Finally Jason asked to partecipate to the Tafe ” Musical Industries” school course. The goal is to become a great music producer/rapper in the Broome musical scene.
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