Empathy Sympathy

This essay is going to discuss the ways in which illustration gives the chance for an audience to interpret and experience empathy. The topic will be considered through emotional connection, therapy and experiences. This allows for the exploration of the positive effect it has on people and how it is beneficial, such as their social skills.

To begin, empathy is hard-wired into the way humans are - a fundamental part of our physiology. This innate quality is the ability to detect other people’s mental states providing a connection between people to form a sense of ‘humanity’. In 2015 Krznaric wanted to explore the psychological aspect by developing the ‘Empathy Museum’ with the exhibition of “A Mile in My Shoes”. Visitors are given somebody

Illustration relates to this topic as it offers a place to reflect on differences and to join divisions. A relatively recent event that displays this is that during terror attacks in Paris, Jean Jullien created a peace sign drawing with the caption “Peace for Paris.” The symbol became used across the nation as a way to represent hope and union with France. This validates the idea that even simple drawings can give people a sense of peace. Artists are able to unite and give comfort through their art so that people can find optimism during tragedy and in the aftermath. This confirms the concept that illustrations can be as part of recovery processes after disasters as a way of reconnecting when verbalising can be difficult.
To support using art for social justice and human rights there are influential techniques that get involved in the movement. The International Museum of Folk Art’s Gallery of Consciences’ goal is to “be an agent of positive social change by engaging history, dialogue and personal reflection”. The statement is an example of how art is seen to have a significant part to play against racism and intolerance. The power of the art is a reminder that good still exists in a time where it is often forgotten, this type of work can have huge social impacts and improve human

It can allow you to feel more connected to others and see things in a new way by experiencing minds and worlds that are different from our own. This is why art is used as a therapeutic technique for general relaxation, but also in mental health to reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem. To support this the researchers Haeyan, van Hooren and Hutchemaekers used interviews to determine the effectiveness of art therapy. They claimed that drawings and paintings helped the individuals to focus on the present, identify their emotions and relate it to their body awareness. The report said that at the start this could feel worse but the insights they gained became the first step in recognizing and validating emotions. This meant they could start the therapy that was suitable for their recovery. This shows that individuals learned emotional responses through art. It can allow their preconceived ideas to adapt with their behaviour so that they could understand their feelings, thoughts and behaviour more clearly.
In addition, illustration can be primarily used for communication for those who find it difficult to articulate their thoughts or feel separate from them. This means it can help people in the justice system, people with autism and learning difficulties. These illustrative techniques can be used as a form of treatment through perception