| Abstract [eng] |
In art therapy, tactile engagement with art materials offers visually impaired people the opportunity to connect deeply with themselves, others and their environment. This thesis reveals the experience of blind and partially sighted people in art therapy sessions of creative work with clay. It explores how visually impaired individuals experience the creative art process, how clay works as a therapeutic material and how tactile perception works during the process. This study aims to deepen our understanding of what tactile experiences are like. Uncovering the transformative potential of touch in art therapy and further research. The aim is to reveal the experience of touch in art therapy for adults who are blind and partially sighted. Participants. Three adult (30 - 80 years old) blind and partially sighted women. Objectives. 1. To conduct a thematic analysis of the participants’ tactile experience in the art therapy process. 2. To conduct a content analysis of the participants’ clay artworks. 3. To summarise the results of the thematic and content analysis. Methodology. The study conducted a qualitative investigation consisting of a literature review, thematic analysis of participant interviews and content analysis of the works For the purpose of the analyses, data were collected by observing the creative process during art therapy sessions, photographing the works, taking reflective notes from the researcher, and recording semi-structured interviews with the participants. Conclusions. 1. The thematic analysis revealed the experiences of the blind and visually impaired participants in art therapy, with the following themes emerging: cautious exploration of creativity, touch opens up feelings and narratives, and creating a connection – self and other. 2. The content analysis of the participants’ clay artworks was highlighted as follows: the tactile experience stimulated the creation of imagery, and the participants’ groups of mouldings were distinguished: a ball, a vessel, a person, an animal, a vehicle, a place, a vessel. The moulding process is characterised by the creation of realistic, concrete objects, with a preference for semi-hard or hard clay, which is more malleable, and the shapes created are easy to pick up and place. The participants are characterised by different levels of activity (strong, vigorous, monotonous) with the clay. Life stories are told through the mouldings, memories come alive, relationships with other group participants are conveyed. 3. Comparison of the results of the thematic analysis of the interviews and the analysis of the content of the works of art highlighted their common fields: The theme of cautious exploration of creativity is associated with realistic, recognizable objects, direct titles of the works, low risk in the choice of materials, experimentation through action with clay. The theme of touch opens up feelings and narratives is associated with rhythmic, energetic, calm or strong movements expressed in clay, circle, ball shapes and works from a solid mass of clay. Touch inspires sharing, opening up. The theme of "Creating a connection - me and the other" is conveyed through the creation of mouldings of human and animal figures, vehicles. The participants involvement in the creative process increased tactile contact, while touching other participants' creations posed challenges. |
