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The artist and his art: a phenomenological study

The objective of this research is to describe the elements which are part of the experience of artists, comprehending the structure of experiences and the consequences for Psychology. Nine depositions have been recorded from artists of different areas and they were all submitted to the steps of the phenomenological method, including a first reading in order to get a general sense, further readings aiming the apprehension of meaning units within a psychological perspective, a synthesis of each deposition and, finally, a synthesis of all depositions. The results show positive aspects of art: self-knowledge; integration of personality; transformation of values and affections; transcendence of the quotidian reality. These data point to a consideration of creativeness as health and the practice of an artistic activity promoting psychological growth, opening perspectives for new researches in art, which has been lately associated to psycotherapeutic processes.

art; artist; art therapy; phenomenological research


Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Av.Bandeirantes 3900 - Monte Alegre, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto - São Paulo - Brasil, Tel.: (55 16) 3315-3829 - Ribeirão Preto - SP - Brazil
E-mail: paideia@usp.br