noa's art

Noa Kisch is an art therapist from Israel who volunteered at K.V.for two months in the summer of 2003. One of the most vibrant and electric volunteers we have ever had, Noa enchanted all of us with her creativity, energy and vivid personality. She threw herself into her work heart and soul and none of us will ever forget her.

This interview was conducted by Kusum Kanwar.

What is art therapy?
Art is like any other therapy- a way to cure and to help people help themselves. Art exists
everywhere and in everyone. Art - like dance and music - is non-verbal.  

How does art therapy help?
Art helps that which is in the sub-conscious (that one is not aware of) to be expressed. It is a tool to read into people’s minds and feelings. In art everything has a meaning- the colours chosen, the composition of the picture, the size of the drawing.

What I try to achieve is to work with the children to bring out their ability to express themselves and to get them to work in a group.

In art, the paper is a reflection of the person who is drawing on it. Drawing on someone else’s paper is like invading that person’s territory. I work with the children on how they feel when this is done.

While working with the children, the drawing becomes a metaphor for what is inside.

The art therapists play an important role by knowing when to move from metaphor to reality.

Art therapy is not to change personalities but to help children express themselves.

Take a child who is passive… he can become more active and participatory by standing and painting. Let him choose the colours he would like to use. Give him a large brush to make bigger and wider strokes.

Did you find any changes in the children in your two months at KV?
It was too short a time. What I tried to do was to get the children to express their feelings through their work. I also tried to get them to work in a group.
For example, we did a number of projects where each child did individual work and then this work was put together to form a group product. Working in a group helps a child to wait for his turn, to watch the other children do their work and then to see the final product to which she has contributed.

Do you have any suggestions to make?
Yes I do… do not see art as a separate subject. Art should be seen as part of other subjects and used side by side with regular classes. One should realize that the final product is NOT important. It is the process, which is the therapy, that is of prime importance. The children should be allowed to choose, explain and decide.

Often, the teacher decides on everything and the children do not get a chance to express their choice - this should be avoided at all costs!

How do you choose which medium to work with?
The medium chosen is very individual, chosen specifically for each child. A hyperactive child who cannot sit in one place for too long would be given material which is hard in nature like pencils, wooden frames, etc. She would be given limited options to choose from. The aim is to settle her down to work and give her a frame – the border giving her a feeling of security. The work would be guided work, within lines and repetitive in nature. Another child may be very restricted in expressing himself. To open him up, firstly only 3 primary colours would be given and he might be asked to create any new colours that he wants. He would be given lots of different types of material to choose from, including large brushes, and then encouraged to work on a 3 dimensional level. This helps him to choose, and then to create.

Some more suggestions?
Whenever possible, children should be allowed to work on walls or on easels and with large brushes. Every activity must have very clear goals.

After each lesson/activity there should be a display of every single product of each child. Each painting is important and there is no such thing as the best painting or best product. Every child likes to see her work on display and it is important that it is displayed for all to see.

Is there any time frame for results to be seen in children?
There are two approaches: short-term and long-term. These are dependent on a number of factors, the child, the institute, the family, the goals etc. The short term approach is normally guided work. The long term approach can extend for a period of 2-4 years.

Can adults also benefit from therapy?
Yes they can. Adults throw many things into their subconscious. Since art is not judgmental they are given the opportunity to show themselves as they want. Art gives them a chance to get out of their rigid structures.

Impressions of K.V.
First impression was of a big white building with white windows: just like anywhere in India.
But then… it does not have the usual Indian school atmosphere- it gives a feeling of ‘home’ and yet the standards are high, the work professional with a lot of thought and planning behind it.