Visual Arts as Restorative Therapy Using Waste Materials for Sustainable Development

Osita, Williams A. Ph.D and Adiele, Stanley

 

Abstract

 

Accepted 6^th January, 2020

 

Visual arts is an important phenomenon in the history and development of mankind. Apart from aestheticism, visual arts perform social, religious, economic, entrepreneurial and therapeutic functions among others. It is the view of the study that waste items or substances may be converted to usefulness through creative explorations and didactic functionalism, thereby, paving way for sustainable development. Different studies may have been carried out in different areas of Visual Arts like painting, graphics, textile designs, sculpture, architecture and others, however, there is no comprehensive study in this direction hence the study. To achieve the objectives of the study, participant observation method, fieldtrips, including primary and secondary sources of data collation as well as informal and unstructured interviews are used. The objectives are further achieved against the backdrop of frameworks of some visual arts theories like art formalism, structural functionalism and iconography. The study further underscores the relevance of waste materials or substances for sustainable development. These are followed by conclusion and possible recommendations.

 

Keywords: Visual Arts, Restorative Therapy, Waste Materials, Sustainable Development

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