"Pictures from the unconscious" – Art making within Jungian analysis

Abstract

The Jungian approach to analysis emphasizes the guidance of the unconscious in the process of individuation. Art is an instrument through which this knowledge can be revealed—but it is more than just an instrument. It is a counterpart for dialogue, a mirror reflecting the unconscious, and a process through which the unconscious reveals itself and develops. Additionally, it offers a platform for new experiences, including feelings and sensations. Moreover, it provides a way to reconnect with longforgotten parts of the self and to discover new parts that have never been known. Written from the perspective of an art therapist who is also a Jungian analyst, this theoretical paper presents the fundamental aspects of using the visual arts in the Jungian analytical practice. The first part of the paper elaborates on Jung's use of art and art-making on his path of individuation and in his analytical work with analysands, including Active Imagination. The second part of the paper describes four aspects of the role of art in the practice of Jungian analysis and psychotherapy: Art can serve as a means of communication between the conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche, as well as between the analysand and the analyst. The artwork is the result of the symbol-creating quality of the transcendent function and supports it, assisting in the integration of the unconscious and conscious parts. Interpretations and amplifications are means for elaboration of the artwork as an expression of material emerging from the personal or collective unconscious. The artwork has a transitional role in the therapeutic relationship.