Healing with Art
The Dark side, From Alaa Naeem’s journal on art therapy and acceptance, 2019. Courtesy of the artist.
Alaa Naeem, artist & art therapist
Slowly, art therapy is growing across the Middle East, with creative passionate artists like Alaa Naeem taking on the role as an art therapist as well. She is the owner of the first art therapy studio in Kuwait.
With her simple and minimalistic style of painting, Alaa’s illustrations reflect her experiences using colors and self-portraits to mirror her emotions and passion on her canvases. Although Alaa grew up surrounded by art and art culture, she never used it as a form of expression until recently, after she endured a traumatic experience. Art therapy helped her recognize the positive impact of art expression which led her to share her experience with her friends and family and eventually to open her own art therapy studio.
The artist Alaa Naeem.
Appear as you are, and be as you appear. From Alaa Naeem’s journal on art therapy and self-love, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.
Q1. What does ‘art therapy’ mean?
Art therapy is a discipline that combines creative art and psychotherapy. It utilizes art as a tool for self-expression, emotional and thoughtful processing, as well as stress and trauma relief. It allows people to connect to their creative selves and express themselves in a safe environment. I can go on and on about the definition since it varies and expands in a wide range of methods, approaches, applications, techniques and interpretations.
Q2. Tell us about your journey in this field, why did you pick it? And how did you study for it?
Although I have always considered myself an artist, I had doubts in my skills and abilities. I started creating art at a very young age, scribbling on walls and school sketchbooks. Having a mom as an art teacher certainly played an immense role in my exposure to artistic cultures and history and the different schools of art. My art therapy journey, however, started in my journal seven years ago (as of 2022). After going through a traumatic experience, I was unable to express myself verbally for quite some time. Art helped me come out of that enclosed loop of grief. In no time I had burned through more than five sketchbooks of random, emotional roller coasters of expression. I created more than 300 illustrations expressing the emotions and thoughts I was going through and wrote more than twice the amount of pages in reflections. Having recognized the power of art and how my simple diary doodles shifted my perspective, elevated my mental status and helped me process. I realized that I wanted to share that knowledge. I started a mission to use art as therapy for my friends and family and then pursued the topic academically in the Canadian art therapy institute to take it to the next level.
Alaa’s art therapy studio in kuwait. Courtesy of the artist.
Alaa’s art therapy studio in kuwait. Courtesy of the artist.
Q3. When did you start art therapy? And have you noticed a change in the way people perceive art therapy?
I started experimenting with workshops two years ago, and I went full on and opened my art therapy studio, first of its kind in the MiddleEast, and Gulf specifically, in January. Soon after, I believe people started to realize the potential. A few emerging artists are taking a step into this world and I am happy to think that I have started an art awareness trend!
Q4. Why did you decide to open the art therapy studio?
In the past couple of years, there has been a shift in public health perspective and mindful mental health awareness. Our society has grown more open to experimental humanistic fields, holistic health disciplines and sustainable living is the new hype. For example, a decade ago, yoga was introduced in the region as a kinesthetic therapeutic exercise. I believe it's time for our community to collectively heal through art, although, ironically, it's only through art that our communities and cultures emerged and have been preserved.
Q5. Tell us which colors are the most effective in art therapy and why?
All colors, all mediums, all tools, and any tool undiscovered! The creative process requires a variable “tool box” as I like to say, and as every person has a fingerprint, every person has a different reaction to colors and mediums. People don't come with manuals as we all know. We tend to discover our preferences as we learn more about ourselves in the process.
Some of the attendees of the art therapy and colors workshops, Kuwait, 2022. Courtesy of the artist.
Some of the attendees of the art therapy and colors workshops, Kuwait, 2022. Courtesy of the artist.
Q6. Can you tell us about the moon art therapy?
Certainly! Whether or not this assumption is true, it's quite fun to imagine how the moon may play a part in our lives as we are affected by the moon phases’ energy. Briefly explained, I use the moon phases to try and incorporate practices of self-awareness that involve “letting go” with the full moon and setting “new intentions” with the new moon.
Q7. Who reaches out to you the most for a session? Age group? Gender? Industry etc.
All kinds of people show up. It's a new concept and people are excited to try it. I am so proud that men and women are equally able to connect and express themselves creatively. I only host workshops for adults as of now.
I love working with adults. Although children are so much fun and energetic and explosive with art, I find that working with adults is highly satisfying. They come in to allow themselves to be submerged in the art experience and connect to their inner child and creative selves. They touch on their pain points, shift their perspective, and are able to trust and express themselves creatively. It’s special since those moments are rare due to our fast paced, busy schedules and our responsibilities.
Q8. What advice do you give anyone wanting to enter this field?
Be brave and venture in, get to know yourself and be open to the experience. You can only meet people as deeply as you have met yourself. And please, cultivate empathy as much as you cultivate your artistic skills.
Q9. Can you share some of your favorite art? Tell us why? (Can you share the high res and close up of the art)
Some of my journal illustrations and artwork means a lot to me as it expresses an emotion or mental thought of a daily entry of my life.
Alaa’s art therapy studio in kuwait. Courtesy of the artist.
Q10. What motto do you live by?
Good intentions, faith, and gratitude moves mountains, brings abundance, and creates miracles
Q11. What does art mean to you?
Absolutely everything. It is life itself.
Alaa is a great example of the artists who have a great passion to leave a positive impact on the community around her with art. She creates a safe space that allows people to communicate with their feelings without judgment or fear. You can find out more about Alaa through her Instagram page.
