Art as a Defence Mechanism Against Creativity

Abstract

This paper takes clinical examples to explore the idea that paintings made during the course of therapy may be used by the client's defence mechanisms so that the picture and picturemaking process are utilised against expression of creativity. It is argued that art is not inherently creative but is subject to the same processes of resistance and defence as encountered in other areas of the client's life and therapy. Some of the literature is reviewed followed by clinical examples. The conclusion drawn is that once resistance has been interpreted new layers of creativity become available to the client.

Art therapy and eating disorders: Theory and practice in britain

“…This point is underlined by Mann (1990) in which he argues that the processes of defence and resistance are capable of characterising the client's art as much as other aspects of their life. In a similar way Luzzatto (1994) describes how pictures may be made to obscure rather than reveaI.…”

Book Reviews

“…Far from clarifying Freud's confusion, Loewald, by expanding the concept of sublimation, has made the confusion even greater. As I have discussed elsewhere (Mann 1990) creativity and creative processes seem to present psychoanalysis with almost insuperable problems and Loewald's book is no exception to this.…”

Art therapy: Re-imagining a psychoanalytic perspective—A reply to David Maclagan

“…Art therapists need to have some idea why they are doing what they do! Many years ago I advanced the suggestion that patients in art therapy might use their art work as a defence against creativity and imagination (Mann, 1990(Mann, , 1991. Whatever their habitual forms of defence might be is often found in the painting process and the patient's subsequent experience of their art work.…”