Signs of Mid-Life

The drive within men for individual transformation
and growth is too often hidden. Men search to be ideally masculine, ie capable of intimacy and
vulnerability as well as being vital, decisive,
confident and strong, while also grappling with the
malaise and inner disturbances that frequently occur
during mid-life. This work seeks some answers to the
perennial question of what is a rich and sustaining
inner life? Exploring images from the psyche of five
mid-life males, it examines the contribution to
transformation made through the embodiment of images
from dreams, fantasies, stories and emotions.
Reflecting on these images from the psyche, the
author proposes that perhaps a realization of
self-knowledge, definition and purpose is the key to
the richness of life. Referring to divergent theories
of psychology, art therapy and philosophy of
aesthetics, this multi-method case study contributes
subjective, empirical, theoretical and embodied data
that engages, informs and enables deeper
understanding of the richness of images from the
contemporary mid-life Western-orientated male. As
such it is essential reading for all those concerned
with issues of inner life and well being.

Autorentext
Peter Sorenson is an artist and designer who applies art-making to elicit and embody rich unconscious and unresolved ideas for individual development, design and business. An academic at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, his expertise is in learning styles and group work, concept development, art direction and creative communication design.

Klappentext
The drive within men for individual transformation and growth is too often hidden. Men search to be 'ideally' masculine, ie capable of intimacy and vulnerability as well as being vital, decisive, confident and strong, while also grappling with the malaise and inner disturbances that frequently occur during mid-life. This work seeks some answers to the perennial question of 'what is a rich and sustaining inner life?' Exploring images from the psyche of five mid-life males, it examines the contribution to transformation made through the embodiment of images from dreams, fantasies, stories and emotions. Reflecting on these images from the psyche, the author proposes that perhaps a realization of self-knowledge, definition and purpose is the key to the richness of life. Referring to divergent theories of psychology, art therapy and philosophy of aesthetics, this multi-method case study contributes subjective, empirical, theoretical and embodied data that engages, informs and enables deeper understanding of the richness of images from the contemporary mid-life Western-orientated male. As such it is essential reading for all those concerned with issues of inner life and well being.