An art program at Whyalla on South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf is bringing together family violence survivors and helping them heal from their experiences. 

Key points:

  • An art program is helping family violence survivors heal from their experiences
  • The group behind the program is looking at ways to roll the program out to other regional locations
  • The artworks are featured in an art book published by the group and at a local gallery

The Unbroken program has brought together 22 women with experiences of family violence to create their own artworks, which are now the subject of an art book.

Participant Mel Coker said the program had helped her, despite her not believing herself to be an artist. 

“My catchphrase through the whole thing was, ‘I don’t do art’, because I’m not arty at all,” she said.

“But it’s not about creating art. It’s about the process you go through, the therapy of doing art.” 

The participants created paintings during the course, and painted shoes and other objects. 

Unbroken art therapy participant Mel Coker says painting helps her disconnect from the world and relax.(Supplied)

Ms Coker’s sister was killed by her then partner, who was later handed a life sentence. 

She said the experience affected how she saw domestic violence. 

“I guess it makes me more protective of my kids. I’ve learnt a lot more about domestic violence,” Ms Coker said. 

“Everyone has to play a part to keeping people safe.”

Program coordinator Richard Parker said art could be therapeutic because of how it naturally appealed to humans. 

“Arts is inherently therapeutic because all human beings are creative but the process of creating and being around other women with that experience can be quite healing,” he said. 

Mr Parker said he was now looking at how to get more funding for the program to expand it to other areas.

Unbroken program coordinator Richard Parker says art can be therapeutic because all humans are creative.(Supplied)

Posted