Art Our Knowledge Publishing Art and Social Work Paperback

"The arts do not exist in isolation, for their own sake. The arts are always embedded in socially shaped situations and always serve the purpose of communication. The arts can be communicative, documentary, instructive, entertaining or moving. Art can be free, signify freedom, and it can liberate. It can allow the impossible. It can construct a different world and reality... It can initiate shifts in perspective, the breaking down of boundaries and the crossing of boundaries... It can evoke humour, be fun... It can move people, appeal to the senses and feelings, and awaken emotions and resonances... Artistic and aesthetic practice in social work aims to activate people's potential for self-help and self-education, as well as their independence and autonomy. To achieve this, the focus is on a resource-oriented approach rather than a deficit-oriented one. The entire focus is directed towards people's strengths rather than their limiting weaknesses. Resources become visible and effective when they are drawn upon. Many people are unaware of their own potential...".