Near death experience turns Tabitha into a big chicken

Release date: 6/06/2008

On Thursday 5 June Tabitha Ford from North Lakes helped kickstart the UQ Masters of Mental Health (Art Therapy) Graduating Students Art Exhibition at the Kids in Mind Art Gallery at Mater Hospital in South Brisbane.

The exhibition showcases the artwork of several graduating UQ Masters of Mental Health (Art Therapy) students, who are in their third and final year of the program.

Artworks represent individual interpretations and responses to the research students conducted in areas of personal interest.

Tabitha’s piece was a reflection on her studies of at-risk adolescents, including those affected by poverty, grief, loss and behavioural issues.

“I’ve had an interest in working with at-risk children for some time,” Tabitha said.

“Then in 2000, I had a near death experience, and it made me realise life is short, and I really want to do something more with my life. I was already a teacher and I loved what I was doing, but I knew I had even more to offer!”

Tabitha’s art work consists of several pieces including painting and sculpture.

“My piece includes a clay chicken, which represents me in my ‘mother hen’ role,” Tabitha said.

“Then there is a painting of eight little chicks—they are my students who I have been researching and helping during the UQ Masters course.”

Consultant Psychotherapist, Mater Children and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) and Senior Lecturer, Masters of Mental Health (Art Therapy) UQ, Tom O’Brien said attendees can expect a very high quality of art at the exhibition.

“The exhibition includes stimulating and thought provoking works from seasoned exhibiting artists, as well as less experienced artists, who employ a variety of mediums including painting and sculpture,” Mr O’Brien said.

The artists will graduate this July and become art therapists for children, adults and the elderly.

“17% of young people have mental health difficulties in Australia,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art mediums such as drawing, painting and sculpture to improve or maintain mental health and well-being and an increasing body of evidence indicates it is a highly effective tool to help combat this issue.”

Art therapists are trained to recognise the symbols and metaphors that are communicated within the creative process that might be difficult to express in words or in other modalities.