Significant art

Can art convey meaning to people? The author investigated this question. She visited nine women who are artistically active in their everyday lives. In her encounters, she was guided by an art-analogous attitude and chose a phenomenologically qualitative approach by using the form of narrative interviews, transcribing them and then writing portraits. When evaluating the portraits, the focus was again on a precise and careful description of the object of research. The results show that art conveys meaning to people in terms of well-being, relationships, quality of life and life design. Finally, the author placed these meanings in the context of art and expressive therapy work with people.

Autorentext

Rut Tschofen, born January 24, 1965, qualified social worker/social pedagogue HFS and Master in Expressive Arts Therapy. Works as a social worker at the Fachstelle für Gehörlose und Hörbehinderte in Olten, Switzerland. Freelance artist, lives in Solothurn, Switzerland. Married, mother of an adult son.