Making art has allowed Maggie Bell to work through the trauma of domestic violence without having to talk about it.
Q&A with Maggie Bell
Bass Coast Post: Your work is very impressive. Have you exhibited before? Are you a professional artist exhibiting under a nom de plume? Or are you a new artist?
Maggie Bell: Thank you for the feedback. I did once exhibit a poem which I printed by hand and mounted on a skiffle board. It didn’t fit in at all with the rest of the exhibition which was all very traditional paintings. I never really considered myself an artist. I’m still getting used to that idea.
I use a nom de plume for this art installation about domestic violence for reasons of personal safety.
Bass Coast Post: Your work is very impressive. Have you exhibited before? Are you a professional artist exhibiting under a nom de plume? Or are you a new artist?
Maggie Bell: Thank you for the feedback. I did once exhibit a poem which I printed by hand and mounted on a skiffle board. It didn’t fit in at all with the rest of the exhibition which was all very traditional paintings. I never really considered myself an artist. I’m still getting used to that idea.
I use a nom de plume for this art installation about domestic violence for reasons of personal safety.
BCP: How did you come to art?
Maggie: My parents were quite arty. I was encouraged as a child to be creative. I had always wanted to pursue my artistic side, but the time never seemed right. In my previous relationship, I was belittled and made to feel useless when it came to my art, so I just simply stopped creating.
I now work intuitively. It’s like getting downloads in my head. I know that might sound crazy. I ‘see’ an idea in my head, it starts from there. Then it could completely change with the end product having nothing to do with the original concept. It could go down a completely different path – there is no right or wrong when it comes to my art.
Maggie: My parents were quite arty. I was encouraged as a child to be creative. I had always wanted to pursue my artistic side, but the time never seemed right. In my previous relationship, I was belittled and made to feel useless when it came to my art, so I just simply stopped creating.
I now work intuitively. It’s like getting downloads in my head. I know that might sound crazy. I ‘see’ an idea in my head, it starts from there. Then it could completely change with the end product having nothing to do with the original concept. It could go down a completely different path – there is no right or wrong when it comes to my art.
Walk In My Shoes is at the Coronet Bay Hall, Gellibrand Street on Saturday and Sunday April 16-17 from 10am-3pm. Some artworks may not be suitable for minors, so parental discretion is advised. BCP: You mention art as therapy. How has it assisted with your own journey?
Maggie: I came to Chris Petrie at Upbeat Creative Arts Therapy, initially to learn to draw. After some time, I mentioned my idea for an art installation to raise awareness about domestic violence. Chris was very encouraging and supportive. He has assisted me to set this up as a (hopefully) travelling installation, as one of my main objectives is to exhibit in small or rural communities, as well as the big city, to raise awareness and start conversations about domestic violence.
Whilst working with Chris, I have gained more confidence in the creative work I produce. I am now also producing artworks in various mediums, for a future solo exhibition, where all the works reflect my experiences of domestic violence.
Producing artwork has enabled me to work through trauma, without having to openly talk about my experiences. Art is the perfect non-verbal therapy. If, during a session with Chris, my art triggers memories, I know as a trained therapist he can guide me through the process. Chris is also a trained art teacher and an artist in his own right. This was very important to me when I was looking for an art therapist.
BCP: How do you feel when you are making art?
Maggie: When I do art, I am fully immersed in the process. I lose track of time. I can even forget to eat or drink. My art gives me the freedom to create whatever I want, how I want it, with whatever materials I want to use that speak to me. Absolutely no rules!
BCP: Had you tried other modes of therapy before?
I have tried other types of therapy. However, art therapy has so far been the best therapy for me.
Maggie: I came to Chris Petrie at Upbeat Creative Arts Therapy, initially to learn to draw. After some time, I mentioned my idea for an art installation to raise awareness about domestic violence. Chris was very encouraging and supportive. He has assisted me to set this up as a (hopefully) travelling installation, as one of my main objectives is to exhibit in small or rural communities, as well as the big city, to raise awareness and start conversations about domestic violence.
Whilst working with Chris, I have gained more confidence in the creative work I produce. I am now also producing artworks in various mediums, for a future solo exhibition, where all the works reflect my experiences of domestic violence.
Producing artwork has enabled me to work through trauma, without having to openly talk about my experiences. Art is the perfect non-verbal therapy. If, during a session with Chris, my art triggers memories, I know as a trained therapist he can guide me through the process. Chris is also a trained art teacher and an artist in his own right. This was very important to me when I was looking for an art therapist.
BCP: How do you feel when you are making art?
Maggie: When I do art, I am fully immersed in the process. I lose track of time. I can even forget to eat or drink. My art gives me the freedom to create whatever I want, how I want it, with whatever materials I want to use that speak to me. Absolutely no rules!
BCP: Had you tried other modes of therapy before?
I have tried other types of therapy. However, art therapy has so far been the best therapy for me.
BCP: Why have you chosen to exhibit in the Coronet Bay Hall?
Maggie: I have chosen to exhibit in a rural hall firstly because I was fearful to exhibit anywhere close to where I lived in an abusive relationship. Secondly, to educate, raise awareness and start conversations about domestic violence in rural communities.
BCP: What do you hope to achieve with your art? Or is it just therapeutic to make it?
Maggie: With the art installation piece, which I can’t mention for fear of removing the surprise factor, I hope to raise awareness and start conversations about what domestic violence really is.
My other artworks I create because I just like to. I have never created artworks to please anybody else but myself. So having this exhibition is a little scary for me. The therapeutic side is just a much needed and appreciated bonus.
Maggie: I have chosen to exhibit in a rural hall firstly because I was fearful to exhibit anywhere close to where I lived in an abusive relationship. Secondly, to educate, raise awareness and start conversations about domestic violence in rural communities.
BCP: What do you hope to achieve with your art? Or is it just therapeutic to make it?
Maggie: With the art installation piece, which I can’t mention for fear of removing the surprise factor, I hope to raise awareness and start conversations about what domestic violence really is.
My other artworks I create because I just like to. I have never created artworks to please anybody else but myself. So having this exhibition is a little scary for me. The therapeutic side is just a much needed and appreciated bonus.