Vanessa Mallin
The Handbook
The Art Therapy Handbook has become a source of minor hilarity between staff and students on the course. Although incredibly detailed and helpful as a resource, The Handbook is rarely used; its location, let alone its contents, remain a mystery to many students. “How many words is the assignment?”, “What module is that?”, “What is the marking criteria?”, “How do we reference an online journal?” are all met by tutors with the same answer: “It’s in The Handbook”. In my first year, The Handbook was no longer a physical object (ironic given its name) but was only available online, adding to its elusiveness. There is comfort in having something to hold and flick through, so I was delighted when I found this hard copy of The Handbook. The cover and the weight of it felt promising. Despite the price shock, I knew my money would be well spent – it was an investment. Everything I would need to know about becoming an Art Psychotherapist was contained within.
Upon purchase, I opened The Handbook only to be met with a huge hole and a few art materials. I was shocked! I felt robbed! I wanted my money back! What do you mean I will have to do all the work?!
22x15x2.5cm
card, paper, assorted objects
22x15x2.5cm
card, paper, assorted objects
22x15x2.5cm
Card, paper and assorted objects
I love this idea of the elusive handbook, and the humourous take on what will have been a hugely challenging training: as therapy training is meant to, it must take us out of our comfort zones, and this process, like parenting or dealing with a pandemic, makes us want to grab “the handbook” to give us back our hope of safety. This artwork beautifully and wittily gives an edited summary of the challenges in therapy of “doing the work ourselves, with or without any handbook.
Love this! The sacred handbook. Clearly demonstrates the experiential importance of the course.
Brilliantly original!
What a very clever and thoughtful piece. Brilliant! I’m sure many students can relate to this experience, which alludes to something much deeper in the learning process we all go through – there is no Handbook.