School of Creative
Industries
Tan Wee Ping
After spending over two decades of her life in the financial sector, Wee Ping discovered a love for Chinese painting – having displayed her works in both Singapore and China. While taking a career break, she earned her Diploma in Child Psychology and Interventions and discovered a passion in art therapy along the way.
As a postgraduate student in LASALLE College of the Arts’ MA Art Therapy Programme, she had the opportunity to facilitate nature-based art therapy open studios for youths living with cancer. Her belief in nature’s healing properties drives her art and she is now drawn to incorporating natural materials and found objects in her work.
Her desire and passion to work with children led to her offering therapeutic services to children, adolescents and young adults living with cancer during her clinical placement.
Work
Take Your Time
Folded paper sculpture on rotating stand, glass marble, wired lights
45 x 45 x 40 cm
2024
The technique of folding paper boats was introduced to the artist by her mother at a young age, which would inspire her to work with the theme of childhood memories and the art of folding paper boats.
As a child, she also held a fascination for the brightly decorated carousels at fun fairs. From these memories, the idea emerged to transform them into a carousel crafted entirely from folded paper.
To add warmth and depth to the work, the artist also invited her mother and daughters to participate in its creation. Take Your Time embodies a wish for her daughters and other children to slow down, take their time to play, and create memories for their future selves.
Thesis abstract
Nature-based art therapy: Open studio approach to support grief and loss experiences of youths living with cancer
This practitioner arts-based, qualitative thesis sought to answer the research question of “how does nature-based art therapy through an open studio approach support grief and loss experiences of youths living with cancer?” It aimed to observe how reconnecting with nature helps youths living with cancer in self-exploration and expression with support from group members with similar experiences. The emergent themes were identified as they explored the overarching theme of grief and loss. Seven nature-based art therapy open studios were conducted with participants who were youths living with cancer.
Findings revealed that themes emerged were associated with psychosocial and existential concerns such as identity, loneliness, friendship, love, life and death, impermanence and letting go which were related to their lived experiences. Participants were observed to be able to explore and express their emotions, making insightful reflection that led to therapeutic change towards meaning making.
Nature-based art therapy open studio brought additional elements of nature and group dynamics to the triangular therapeutic relationships. Thus, precipitated a holistic perspective that provided rich insight and inspiration. In conclusion, there is great potential in engaging nature-based art therapy through an open studio approach to support the grief and loss experiences of youths living with cancer.