Creative Arts and Dignity in Mental Health

Discover how engagement with the creative arts boosts our dignity and self-respect by expressing and transforming our experiences of distress and despair. In this stimulating talk, Prof Dowrick will present research evidence for the positive impact of creative arts on mental health and explore the philosophical, biomedical and psychological perspectives on how artistic engagement enhances our dignity.

Four case studies will be used to highlight the profound impact of creative arts on dignity and mental health using narratives from both his clinical and personal experience: Joni Mitchell’s song - A Case of You; Frida Kahlo’s painting - The Broken Column; Auguste Rodin’s sculpture - The Burghers of Calais, and Rainer Rilke’s poem - The Panther.

Hosted by Prof Jane Gunn, the presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with Prof Tony Birch, Prof Sarah Wilson, and A/Prof Jess Nithianantharajah who will share their expertise and reflections in response to the topic.