School of Creative
Industries
Rajeswariy Rasoo (Jess)
Rajeswariy’s (Jess) exploration of her own fine arts practice led her to connect her art expression and emotional mindscape. Driven by the exploration of her own arts practice and an interest in the therapeutic potential inherent in artistic endeavours, Jess decided to pursue studies in LASALLE College of the Arts' MA Art Therapy programme.
The concept of art as a therapeutic tool is Jess’s guiding principle, steering a journey to connect the symbiotic relationship between artistic exploration and emotional growth, thus creating a unique intersection that defines her current professional identity.
Through her academic journey, Jess had the honour of providing art psychotherapy to male youths at risk at a residential home and preadolescent boys in a school setting. Her research interests at the moment, centers on exploring the potentials of therapeutic practices that can evolve from decolonising attachment theory.
Work
You’re Invited
Textile, chair, gems, rug
Dimensions variable
2024
You're Invited extends its arms to visitors to get comfortable in its embrace and rest as they unload the weight they have been shouldering.
This space may be used the way audiences need it to explore feelings of grief. Grief is difficult, complicated and personal. There is no timeline and there is no shame. You are invited to share and process, or leave your sorrows, burdens and heartache at your comfort.
Sometimes there is nothing more we want than to be embraced with no inhibitions, or to be embraced in the arms of those we no longer can touch. You're Invited aims to provide what it can for you.
Thesis abstract
The good-enough child: A qualitative single case study of art psychotherapy with a seven-year-old boy from an all boys primary school in Singapore
The aim of this qualitative, practitioner-based thesis was to explore the effects of art psychotherapy in facilitating self-regulation in a seven-year-old boy in an all boys school in Singapore. Grounded in a psychodynamic framework informed by developmental and attachment theories, this study investigated therapeutic mechanisms of change through a single case study. The research acknowledges the limitations of current attachment theory in a Singaporean context. This highlights the need to decolonise the theory for better understanding and care for Asian children. The thesis emphasises the importance of the therapeutic alliance in building trust and employing culturally sensitive approaches.
Through play and art-making, the therapeutic goals addressed the feelings of inadequacy which were identified as central to the client’s attachment issues. The case study demonstrates how art psychotherapy empowered the client with self-regulation tools by providing a safe and attuned space, addressing the client’s need to be seen and heard. Modeling healthy relationships fostered a sense of self and self-esteem, leading to improved social engagement and classroom participation. This thesis contributes to the understanding of art psychotherapy’s effectiveness in fostering self-regulation within Asian cultural contexts. It highlights the need for further exploration of decolonised attachment theory for Asian clients.