Art as Therapy

I picked up Art as Therapy expecting something reflective, thoughtful and accessible. As an arts therapist, I was already familiar with the idea that art can support emotional and social repair, so that part felt familiar rather than revelatory. What I was not expecting was a chapter on capitalism. It surprised me (yet makes sense) to see the authors place art in direct conversation with consumer culture, alienation and systemic disconnection.

De Botton and Armstrong position art as something to be used rather than admired from a distance. They write as though art belongs to everyone, not just critics or collectors, and they argue that its value lies in how it speaks to real needs. The book makes a case for art as a tool for self reflection, connection and meaning making. It felt affirming to see ideas I work with daily translated into language that feels simple but not reductive.

At times the tone felt overly certain and a few ideas came across as overly idealistic or neatly packaged. Still, the book gave me new ways to frame what I already know and practice. It reminded me how important it is to keep inviting people to engage with art not as decoration or luxury, but as something we deeply need as human. I finished the book thinking about how we might talk about art more publicly, more plainly and more generously.

Found here: https://amzn.to/45qvjMS

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