The Power of Collage
What is Collage Art?
Collage is an art medium that uses pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other ephemera to create an entire, original, piece. The word “collage” derives from the French term papiers collés used to describe pasting paper cut outs onto surfaces. In art therapy it is a process that allows the client to feel guided by the material as they look through images and pick the ones they feel connected to. In this blog post we will talk about the therapeutic benefits of collage, material suggestions, ways to incorporate it into the therapeutic space, and tips to bring it into everyday life.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Collage
I introduce collage into my art therapy space because I believe there are many therapeutic benefits. I have noticed that clients are attracted to this material when they need the material to do some of the talking for them. The act of collage allows people to flip through images and pick out the ones that speak to them versus the client speaking for the material which I believe helps tap into their subconscious space that might be hard to access verbally and cognitively. Through the use of the medium I have seen clients put to page buried feelings, needs, and goals. It is also a way to help the client bring notice to specific themes that might be coming forward in their everyday life depending on the types of images they might be drawn to, for example: human figures, objects from certain time periods, nature, etc. Upon examination, It allows myself and the individual to dig into the symbolic representation of these objects or how these things might be showing up for them.
Collage can also be given to people in the form of directives or instructions. This might help clients work towards certain goals such as vision boards or self esteem; it may help them bring understanding to their different parts (parts mapping); or help them reconnect with things that might be lost or buried (inner child, identity, grief, exiled feelings). The act and metaphor of transformation is also very present when using collage as an art material. Using images of models and figures and changing them or altering to process body image standards would be an example of this. Collage also feels very safe and controlled for a lot of people. It can be a good approach if a client is nervous or vulnerable about art making. It starts to unlock this vulnerable part of themselves that often gets put away with age. Collaging can be a good opening and start to get people comfortable with more other art materials.
Lastly, collage-making also encourages mindfulness. As clients carefully select images and materials and focus on their composition, they become absorbed in the process, which can help reduce anxiety and promote calmness. The repetitive actions of cutting, ripping, and gluing also encourages a meditative and flow state which is beneficial for emotional regulation.
When the collage is complete it can be important to examine it together. It is important to pay attention to any themes that might be coming forward as previously mentioned or any images that might stand out among a theme. along with the way the images are arranged. The arrangement of images can speak to us in a big way. Things might be grouped together, empty spaces could be deliberate, and there may be elements of containment in the image. Work with the client to identify meaning within their piece and explore it with curiosity and openness.
Materials for Collage Art
I introduce many different materials into the space when creating a collage. Magazines are important but also different types of magazines that represent different subject matters. I utilize fashion magazines with different body types and ages; psychology magazines for sayings, words, and mindful images; National Geographic magazines for natural images and animals; art magazines for images of art, other paintings, expressive creations and color; and more. I also like to utilize old books, newspapers for current and past events, fabric scraps, old photographs, maps, stickers, and personal mementos. I also like to encourage the use of 3D or kinesthetic materials such as glitter, nature materials, clay, sea shells, gems and more. Variety can be really significant when creating a collage because, as stated previously, the art material is doing some of the talking so we want to make sure the client's internal space is able to communicate with the material. Overall each material brings its own symbolism and texture to the piece allowing for endless possibilities with self-expression.
Practical Collage Exercises
I usually like to give people pretty free range when creating a collage but if you are at a loss sometimes directions or an overall goal can be helpful so I have decided to include some collage exercises that can be utilized in a therapeutic setting.
● Vision Board: Encourages clients to create a vision board by cutting out images that represent dreams, goals, and hope. It can help clarify intentions and provide motivation. This is often done at the beginning/end of the year when people are setting new intentions for the upcoming year but can also be done at any time. I like to do it seasonally because I believe as humans we have different needs depending on the season and might be able to access different parts of ourselves as the weather and the amount of sunlight changes.
● Image Transformation: Take an image you would like to alter and transform it. This can be beneficial in many ways depending on what you decide to alter. It can make one feel empowered and more in control.
● Emotional Release Collage: Create a collage that reflects a current or buried emotional state. The client can use colors, textures, and images that symbolize these feelings and find understanding, acceptance, and communication with these feelings.
● Healing Collage: This can be useful when someone is working through a stressor or trauma. It can represent their journey toward healing using images of strength and hope.
Tips for Incorporating Collage into Everyday Life
If you would like to bring collage into your weekly routine, there are several ways to do this. You can start small with simple directives such as mood collages. You can keep this in a small journal so that size doesn’t feel intimidating. It also gives you a dedicated space to get you into an artistic mindset. I also like to recommend that people start collecting found objects and keeping them in a folder or small box. Found objects are materials from your everyday life like nature elements, tickets, receipts, post cards, etc. This can make a collage more personable and meaningful and allows one to look closely at what they value. Overall collage can be a very beneficial and transformative experience. It unlocks our emotions, brings understanding to ourselves, and takes away verbal pressure to describe difficult experiences.