School of Creative
Industries
Alix van der Vaeren
Alix van der Vaeren studied both psychology and fine arts in Europe before beginning her journey of art psychotherapy at LASALLE College of the Arts.
She has always used art as a form of healing, and wished to use her background and passion to share it with others. Her creative process is inspired by nature, mindfulness, the practice of self-care, and her own experience as a woman, an artist and now an art therapist. Alix’s art is not limited to a material or method, rather the idea inspires the form.
The MA Art Therapy training has given her the chance to learn and expand her abilities as an art therapist by interning both in a centre for adults with intellectual disabilities, and in a local primary school. The culture, creativity and people allowed for a rich experience.
Work
Voices of the wells
Mixed media on canvas
80 x 100 cm
2023
Voices of the wells is an exploration of two identities, how they nurture and challenge one another. It is a mirror of a journey that is coming to a close and how the faces formed have melded and fused to become one.
This artwork was inspired by memories, old and new stories, elegance, movement, childlike wonder, and the beauty of nature.
Alix's creative process is inspired by nature, mindfulness, the practice of self care, and her own experience as a woman, an artist and now an art therapist. Her art is not limited to a material or method, rather the idea inspires the form.
Thesis abstract
How nature inspires: Introducing natural materials in art therapy within a primary school setting in Singapore
The aim of this qualitative, practitioner-based thesis was to observe the effects of bringing natural materials in an art therapy session within a gender specific primary school setting in Singapore. The data collected was reflected upon using a multiple case vignette that focused on the themes that emerged when the four clients used nature sourced objects in their creative process. The themes discussed include metaphors, mindfulness, sublimation, and mess making. The findings indicate that providing natural materials enhances the therapeutic encounter by allowing for more freedom of expression. Nature sourced objects can potentially help in safely expressing complex external and internal stimuli.