Comparitive Study of Persian Art of Garden and Field of Art Therapy
Graduation Date
Spring 2005
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
Lizbeth Martin, PhD
First Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Gwen Sanders, MFT, ART-BC
Abstract
This research discusses the importance of addressing multiculturalism and the need for culturally centered art therapy practice. The purpose of this research is to present a literature review of the Persian art of garden and its use as a healing source in the Persian culture and describes the similarities that exist between the Persian art of garden and the field of art therapy. It illustrates the concept of culture and how differences in diverse cultures are the measuring stick for the type of therapy procedure or techniques. The components of a culturally appropriate art therapy are described. The research examines art as a universal language and how it has been used as a healing tool in different cultures. The research takes a historical look at the use of garden as a healing tool in the Persian culture and discusses the references that exist in the Persian art of carpet weaving the Persian art of miniature painting to the Persian art of garden. This comparative study is done in the hope that it will bring cultural awareness and raise the cultural sensitivity of the mental health-care worker especially the art therapist.