Rights Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License Sustainable Social Change Through Art Exhibits and Art Therapy

In addition to providing individual psychological treatment, art therapists can incorporate the philosophy of nonviolent resistance to use art as dialogue in the service of relationship formation, social change, and activism. The philosophy and tactic of nonviolent resistance can be integrated in art therapy, as it seeks to bring two parties into equality by realigning relationship dynamics and fostering empathy for sustainable change (Hardiman, 2003). For empathy and perspective taking to be a catalyst for social change, it needs to be nurtured and protected against the damaging effects of bias or personal distress (Trout, 2009). By thinking on a continuum of individual to societal need (Moon, 2002), art therapists have a unique opportunity to use their skill set to mediate dialogue in art, empower clients and act as intermediaries in bridging the social distance that often leads to misunderstanding, discrimination, and injustice (Galtung, 1996). Given the role of the image and the creative process to serve as a meeting ground (Buber, 1923/1970), art therapists can facilitate opportunities for expression, communication, and understanding. This paper will present a phenomenological research study that was conducted t