GRAFFITI ART THERAPY

"The Writing on the Wall"

VIDEO: http://wn.com/Graffiti_Art_Therapy

http://www.graffitiarttherapy.com/_/Study.html

What is the activity?

Graffiti Therapy is an artistic expression of hip hop/street art designed as a model for demonstrating the therapeutic possibilities of working with adolescent graffiti offenders from within their own realm of interest. It uses their style of art and interests/creative process of therapy to access ideas and memories. Through the creative process explore issues of identify and self-awareness, understanding and self-expression in a way that cannot be expressed through words alone. The purpose is to explore their inner identity struggle and discover constructive ways to transform their illegal behavior into positive social contributions.

Instruction on how to facilitate activity:

The program lasts a duration of 8 weeks with 7-10 participants, ages 14-21. It is an instruction as well as one on one care. Prior to participating, subjects fill out a pre-questionaire. They are to keep a journal recording their thoughts, feelings and ideas resulting from their participation. Video interviews provide participants thoughts, feelings and ideas. The themes to be analyzed are expression of feelings, graffiti as therapy, risk taking, development, originality, being seen/being heard, being real, oppression by society, community/brotherhood. Lastly, a follow up questionnaire to conclude.

Who might benefit from this:

At risk adolescents whom can voluntarily come to find a safe place to practice self-expression. They will find a much needed sense of community or “brotherhood” as a positive support system. Also, anyone interested in graffiti as an art form or on the contrary anyone who sees graffiti in a negative way to see the positive experience.

Contradictions:
Typically it is not called ART or freedom of speech.. it is called public vandalism.

For example, the City of Los Angeles spends $20 Million dollars on graffiti removal. Yet, only $100 thousand on youth outreach. It almost seems as if it’s only covering up the problem, because it keeps coming back and it’s apart of the CULTURE and is not going away. Instead, this is an opportunity to harness that power and work WITH it.

Materials:

Simulated Wall & spray paint!

Special Considerations:

· Safety!

· Breathing Masks?

· Setting limitations of what is positive graffiti.

· Provide legal murals in the community.

· Therapist could be someone to relate to (ex-graffiti artist turned law abiding to provide a relate-able positive role as opposed to an adult professional who represents the institution of authority)

If approached correctly, graffiti art can become a source of reflection and individual development.

“To pour your soul onto a wall and be able to step back and see your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your weaknesses, really gives you a deeper understanding of yourself and your mental state.”