Sculpture

Sculpture is used to help patients gain physical experience by directly familiarizing them with the material in question. Changes in pulse and breathing as well as temperature are displayed. At the same time, sculpture promotes new thoughts and feelings.
Materials used include stone, soapstone, wood, clay, beeswax, plasticine and sand. The choice of material is based on the patient's physical condition and the time available for treatment.
Stone, for example, requires a focused, energetic, decisive, and rhythmic approach, to be tapped, carved, and carved over a long period of time. In return, it conveys strength, warmth, and stability to the sculptor.
Soapstone is faster and easier to carve, scrape, and generally work with. Often people suffering from skin conditions find its smooth surface particularly cool, soothing and pleasant.
The wood, depending on its type (density, colour, fragrance, wavy shades, flexibility), can be selected to meet the needs and requirements of each patient. Sculpting, sanding and grinding is liberating and warming, requiring and promoting mental alertness and attention. Tools are used to use all of these materials.
Clay (loam) on the other hand is generally shaped by hand. Thanks to its moist earthy consistency, which may be wet and slippery, smooth, or slightly dry, clay promotes the realization of the patient's ability to form and create. An amorphous lump is gradually formed into a three-dimensional object. Material can be added or removed as needed until the final form emerges.
The clay can be worked by hand, rhythmically pressed, compressed and stretched with the palm or back of the hand, fingers or thumb. The activity requires calm and concentration. Many consider it to warm the whole body. The surface of the clay can be etched, smoothed, worked on using hands or tools. When dry, it can even be shaved or sanded. Clay, which by its nature is cool to the touch, should be heated for some patients (e.g. arthritis sufferers).
Beeswax is a naturally warm material, easy to mould, and therefore ideal for children and susceptible patients. So is plasticine. If hand movement is limited, warm sand in a box can be a useful creative alternative.
The point of therapeutic sculpture is not to produce a beautiful, decorative effect. The shaping of the material shapes focus, concentration, the creative process brings new images and new strength to the patient. These help the patient to better understand their condition, to accept and overcome it, to approach life with renewed vigour.