School of Creative
Industries
Marie Cynthia M-L Ng Hung Hee
For over a decade, Cynthia held a dynamic career in branding and advertising – she attained a masters in marketing. Her deep-seated desire to meaningfully impact others led her to a career as a therapeutic play practitioner, focusing on helping children with special needs.
Watching children heal through play inspired her to join LASALLE College of the Arts' MA Art Therapy programme and she now dedicates herself to fostering a nurturing environment for children and adolescents to explore and process their emotions through the transformative power of art.
Work
Fabric of Life
Yarn, ropes, found cloths
260 x 140 cm
2024
Fabric of Life emerges from the artist’s clinical encounters with female adolescents, whose resilience weaves through the adversities they face. These interactions serve as a source of inspiration, allowing the artist to create a visual expression of their emotions, struggles and resilience.
Yarn serve as metaphors for each individual's journey, capturing the essence of human experiences. The act of weaving illustrates the intricate web of our interconnected lives. Each thread narrates its unique story, each colour expresses a distinct feeling, and every knot marks a juncture where lives intersect.
Thesis abstract
Nurturing resilience in female adolescents through art therapy: A qualitative inquiry into reconciling with the self, following experiences of child maltreatment in Singapore
This thesis investigates the process of nurturing resilience through art therapy in female adolescents who have experienced child maltreatment, with a focus on reconciling with the self. Conducted at a residential treatment centre in Singapore, the study explores the journey of fostering resilience in adolescents removed from harmful home environments.
Reconciliation with the self emerges as pivotal, involving acknowledging, understanding and accepting past experiences. Resilience is portrayed as essential for this journey, requiring continuous effort and adaptation. Through qualitative inquiry, the thesis examines the transformative potential of art therapy in empowering adolescents to redefine their identities and relationships, through the development of resilience, ultimately contributing to their personal healing.