Angela RuscinskiPainting the inside of the bubble

Angela is an Occupational Therapist who has spent her career supporting children and families affected by severe and complex mental illness. After having her own children, Angela has been captured by the intricate world of how different sensory experiences shape a person’s worldview and ability to cope with trauma. Her personal and professional development led her to study art therapy.

Angela’s research, titled “Painting the Inside of the Bubble”, explores the use of art therapy through a self-exploratory case study. As the shockwave of COVID-19 became apparent, Angela chose to examine the use of art therapy to relieve her own professional stress levels while supporting complex clients. During the time that Angela was requiring to support clients using telehealth, she used a brief art therapy intervention at the end of each workday. Alongside this daily work, she further explored the use of art therapy in a weekly canvas and journaling activity. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative information, she hopes to see if patterns emerge in her professional stress levels with the use of art therapy.

Angela’s artworks use a range of media to consider the impact of change. Initially themes of fear and bravery common to any research project were portrayed by two-dimensional water imagery. As the research shifted with the emergence of COVID-19, the exploration of the barriers begins in a more tangible manner. Her ideas for pieces would often be influenced during discussions with clients and peers about the impact of transitioning to telehealth on their own stress levels. The artworks began to mirror the metamorphosis through real-world, tangible objects used in therapy such as paintbrushes, PPE items and computer parts. Her pieces transition from themes of nature, fluidity and journeys, to connection, healthcare, and technology. The pieces explore natural, organic imagery and the contrasts of man-made items. Her search for ways to fully convey powerful emotions led to trialling use of new media such as wire and epoxy resin. Whilst originally intending to curate a traditional, two-dimensional painted exhibition, Angela’s creative voice changed as drastically as her environment.


Reef, Current or Blissful Calm
Reef, Current or Blissful Calm
Acrylic on canvas
51cm x 51cm
A view into the unknown challenges of the research journey. Despite the lure of a beautiful destination, the unfamiliar sea with hidden conditions makes the initial dive alarming.

 

Of Dreams and Nightmares
Of Dreams and Nightmares
Acrylic on canvas
51cm x 51cm
An exploration of sudden research changes evoked by COVID-19. Thick undulating dark colours represent concern and concern, contrasting the addition of bright lights and stippling of idea formulation.

 

Breaking Wave
Breaking Wave
Framed photography, epoxy resin, fabric, sand and shells
31cm x 42cm x 15cm
This depicts the sea representing the traditional research journey and the beauties and trials therein, while vast changes in the social environment create a sudden shift in resources. The lifesaver’s flag grasped by the wave’s hand emerging from the photo shows a sudden threat to the process whilst simultaneously alluring.

Breaking Wave

Breaking Wave

 

 Cracks and Glitter
Painting the Inside of the Bubble: Cracks and Glitter
Epoxy resin, paintbrush, glitter
15cm diameter
With the research title “Painting the Inside of the Bubble” emerging from the creative process, it seemed imperative to encapsulate the moment. A three-dimensional effect was achieved through capturing the painter’s brush within epoxy resin, with glitter representing a dreamlike scene. The end result of the brush causing splits within the resin seemed a fitting metaphor to the imperfections in the process.

 Cracks and Glitter

 Cracks and Glitter

 

In progress – searching for containment
In progress – searching for containment

 

Shielded Thoughts
Shielded Thoughts
Papier mâché-ed styrofoam, plastic face shield
30cm x 17cm x 11cm
In working with a community impacted by COVID-19, I was struck by the range of reactions seen, including resilience, humour, fear and denial. Whilst many parents and carers appeared to try to shield their children from the worst of the pandemic, it was clear that no amount of support could stop my clients’ internal responses to the crisis. This piece acknowledges my own fears and frustrations at seeing clients struggle with the influx of news, whilst attempting to shield them at an enforced distance during lockdown. The burned shield mimics the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 on my research, and my own flawed shield of resilience.
Shielded Thoughts
In progress - melting the shield

 

Shielded Thoughts

Shielded Thoughts

 

Seeking connection
Seeking connection
Clay, yarn, computer pieces
Approx. 45cm x 20cm x 180cm assembled
This piece seeks to illuminate the imperfections and potential beauty of the therapist questing to overcome the challenges and link with their client however possible despite the distance. The therapist begins with an organic budding empathy which must be translated into the electronic format. The computer, exactly 1.5 meters away, highlights the message of safety “Please maintain 1.5m distance”. The therapist is far from the online client, the connections are imperfect, but there is a kind of convergence and engagement beginning. This reflects the parallel challenges of connecting to my own research and resources due to COVID-19.

Seeking connection

Seeking connection

Seeking connection

Seeking connection

Seeking connection