The importance of the Hero’s Journey in Art Therapy
When the large wall and ‘blank canvas’ was made possible with the recent Kindred Art Space kitchenette upgrade, Kerryn Knight, Art Therapist and Founder of Kindred Art Space wanted to add a meaningful mural to depict the ‘Hero’s Journey.
The Hero’s or Heroine’s journey is a concept close to Kerryn Knight’s heart and includes it within her transpersonal approach to her Art Therapy practice. The Hero’s Journey is an archetypal story pattern, common in ancient myths as well as modern day adventures. Hollywood has harnessed the award winning formula it offers viewers- think the Star Wars franchise, amongst many others. The concept of the Hero’s Journey was described by mythologist Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. It speaks of the journey of life being a series of ups and downs in which a snapshot might be felt like an ordinary day interrupted with something that blind-side’s you being thrown into a situation that changes you forever. When harnessed through creative myth work in Art therapy and Sandplay Therapy, we are able to make sense of our experience, distill our transferable resilience and make our unique pathway through it towards a new way of being.
Kerryn has always been drawn to this imagery and has certainly lived through many ups and downs that has brought transformation to her life. Many of Kerryn’s artworks pay homage to this journey depiction including her ‘Kookaburra painting’ symbolising the Kindred Art Space creation story and her call to leave the corporate world to work as an art therapist. It’s no doubt that the large wall and ‘blank canvas’ made possible with the Kindred Art Space kitchenette upgrade that Kerryn felt compelled to create a mural to depict this mythology that all ages and abilities can be inspired by and make real in their lives.
The Kindred Art Space Hero’s Journey – Meaningful Mural project is one of many art pieces and verses that grace the indoor and outdoor spaces at Kindred Art Space designed to welcome and inspire all visitors to this nurturing space.
