Visual art and transformation

In this chapter Tischler argues for the increased role of visual arts in healthcare research, education and public engagement. She summarises evidence on the use of visual arts and healthcare to date, primarily in the fields of therapy, education, and spaces, both clinical and public. Whilst artistic approaches have been enthusiastically developed and received the evidence base for their health enhancing benefits is scant. This is an issue as commissioners and the larger population will need to be convinced of the merit of such approaches if they are to be cascaded more widely. The author suggests that these issues should be overcome as the visual arts have unique power, not only to be therapeutic for the individual but also to transform the identity and create aesthetic artefacts which can effect change at a societal level