By Xiang Li
At the start of winter, I saw the leaves falling and the days getting shorter. I felt the winter blues, and I am not the only one. I want to find a way to bring some light to this cold and grey winter. That was when I grabbed a paintbrush and created an art piece each day around a positive word, naming it ‘100 DAYS ART YOU OK.’
My name is Xiang, and I am an artist and professional art therapist. Like many therapists who talk about mental health, I used to start with symptoms. I talked about depression, anxiety, trauma and burnout. But this winter I decided to do something different. I want to move my focus from the clinical terms to something more relatable. To find some light and small joyfulness in this winter time.
I plan to create one hundred paintings featuring positive words related to resilience, self-love, wellbeing, and inner strength; to remind us to smile and enjoy the present moment.
Here are a few I would like to share with you.
Hope
At the winter solstice, we experience the longest night, and from today, the days will gradually become longer. Today is a day full of hope. Even though we still have long, cold nights, we know the next morning’s sun will rise a bit earlier. And tomorrow is another day full of hope.
Optimistic
Is the glass half full or half empty? You can be optimistic either way. If it is half full, you focus on what you have. If it is half empty, the glass has potential and more room for water.
I looked out the window at a tree that had been blown over and cut down to a stump. I sometimes feel like that tree, after years of growth, a single night can bring me back to the beginning. Yet, the tree has regrown. It may look small now, but it has the roots to support its future growth. And this is what I call optimistic – look at your roots over your cuts.
The artworks will be co-exhibited in the Louis Joel Art Gallery where I will run an art therapy workshop.
Exhibition: Positives and Negative Spaces – Featuring Xiang Li and Ariel De Ramos
9th – 28th August. Supported by a donation from Kerrie Gottliebsen
Adult Art Therapy Workshop: A Note to Self – Facilitated by Xiang Li
16th August 12 noon
Booking via Louise Joel Gallery website or email: Xiang@arttherapymelbourne.com.au
You can find me via Instagram @Siroccoart or @the_art_therapy_melbourne
