Fourteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

This research is about using art as a medium for personal growth and development in remote communities living in poverty and extreme conditions. The town of Mariakani and its surrounding villages in Kenya experience a high incidence of diseases. The prevalence of these diseases is caused in part by a lack of awareness about hygiene and common prevention practices, as well as by a heavily polluted environment. To exacerbate these conditions, extreme poverty creates gaps between the poor and the poorer which results in further social problems and lack of community respect. And unfulfilled self-actualization leads to lack of self-esteem, negatively impacting members of the entire community. There is a need for addressing both the physical and mental health challenges in the area. Creation of art has proved to have benefits on human‘s mental wellbeing that is closely related to physical health. The practice and the product of art can be a medium that spreads awareness about the causes and effects of these diseases. Using art makes the learning content more accessible by interacting with it in a playful way. Also, the creation of art helps us develop creative problem solving and imagination. Developing creativity and consciousness gives space for empowering the community to fight their daily problems and be able to live more as they like. This research discovers the influence of art on how people perceive the world, the benefits of art practice, and how we can harness this practice in the area of social sustainability.