Jasmine Edwards

Project title: Kintsugi and Self-harm: Can an art therapy experiential based on the Kintsugi philosophy transform a client’s perception of their self-harm scars?

I am an artist and art therapy student based in Perth, Western Australia. Growing up I was easily persuaded that art would not lead to a stable job. So instead, I pursued my passion for history and became an archaeologist. This career choice was short lived. In my early twenties I suffered a mental breakdown and was diagnosed with several mental health conditions. I became very suicidal and addicted to self-harm. It was during this dark time, that I rediscovered art. Art became an escape, and a way of expressing the barrage of feelings inside my head. Moving through this formative period of my life, I now work as an art therapist with clients with disabilities, mental illness, cancer, and those navigating drug and alcohol addiction. My own experiences with mental illness and my journey with art have shown me the potential art therapy has as an instrument for healing, growth and expression.

This research project arose from my own journey with self-harm and a realisation that there is little research investigating art-based treatment options for those engaging in self-harm. Many self-harmers view their scars with shame and self-hatred, which can impede recovery. The project aims to explore how individuals perceive their self-harm scars and whether these perceptions can be changed through participation in a six-week art intervention based upon the Kintsugi philosophy. I want to see if this intervention is effective in increasing self-acceptance and self-compassion among individuals who bear self-harm scars. 

This body of artwork represents my journey through the research process. The pieces convey the initial vulnerability of embarking on such a personal project, the fears, insecurities and growing disconnection to the project as I waited for ethics approval, and the euphoria of seeing the research come together. The journey is not dissimilar to my journey through mental illness. I want people to be able to connect to the rawness and vulnerability of my pieces, and to gain an understanding and empathy for those experiencing mental health issues. Working predominantly in 2D, I use a variety of mixed media, such as watercolour, acrylic, inks, soft pastels, and pen. I particular like the flow and uncontrollability of watercolours, the way they bleed into each other. My pieces often feature the female face. The faces depicted in my work are generally autobiographical and unconsciously illustrate feelings of disconnection, vulnerability and the power of the mind.