Cover Story
More than Art A
t Lakalinjeri Tumbetin Waal Frahns Farm, art is a part of the scenery. Residents create carvings and paintings as part of their rehabilitation journey. The artworks include carved emu eggs as well as paintings on stones, tree trunks and canvasses; and the artists who made them come from mixed artistic backgrounds and experiences. This is reflected in the art pieces which range from simple to very sophisticated designs. “Participation in arts projects is optional,” said Frahns Farm manager, Craig Minervini, “but 99 per cent of clients take it up. Even fellas who have never painted before jump in.” The link between arts and health is now well accepted. The art activities at the Frahns Farm rehabilitation centre in Monarto is just another example of the value of art as a medium for engagement and an aid to recovery.
Therapeutic Art at Frahns Farm is more than just art. “We are really big on encouraging our clients to be involved in art projects for a number of reasons,” said Craig. “It’s therapeutic… gives them something to think about, and it takes their minds away from other things in their lives.” In creating the artwork, there is also the element of completion, Craig explained. “There’s a starting point and an end point. “There’s also the teaching aspect of the experience,” he added. “On the way through, participants learn a lot more than painting.” Participants, he said, learn and develop life skills along the way. “They learn to plan, to think ahead... doing things in order… going through step by step.” The actual paintings or artworks themselves are also really important to the clients in their recovery because they touch on the cultural aspects of their
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lives and keep them in touch with their culture. Craig said art had always been there at some level at Frahns Farm, but they have now “taken it to a new level” because there is now a greater understanding of what clients get out of it. “It’s an invaluable tool,” he said.
Share ideas Hepatitis SA peer educator, Karan, who visits Frahns Farm once a fortnight together with fellow peer educator, Dean, agrees. “It’s a really good way to get the conversation going and to share ideas,” she said. Karan and Dean will be starting a mural project with the Frahns Farm residents in the near future. This enthusiasm for art as an education tool is shared by the rest of Hepatitis SA which has been using art as an engagement tool in education as well as resource development for some time.
The recent “Going Viral” project (See story on page 11) is one such example, as are the on-going Women’s Circle of Health at the Adelaide Women’s Prison and work at The Woolshed. Artist and Hepatitis SA supporter, Maureen Cook who recently held an exhibition of her work depicting her treatment experience says the organisation’s use of art in its work is clearly visible to her. “I think Hepatitis SA uses art well in health promotion, such as your digital story telling projects. There always seems to be an inclusion of art in the work by Hepatitis SA.”
Relaxing Hepatitis SA Peer Education Coordinator and practising artist, Maggie McCabe, sums it up: “Art is a powerful way to engage with community
Artworks by Anthony David, Eric Guerkin, Maureen Cook, Tim Lovegrove and Shane Sumner.
• HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS • APR 2013
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