Art as an Emotional Refuge
Art, whether in the form of paintings, poetry, or music, has always been more than a mere source of entertainment. Multiple emotions that are not expressed in everyday conversations find refuge in art. Whether as a form of revolution or emotional recourse, art has always been more than a medium of sensory stimulation. Sublimation, a common defence mechanism, also uses art, among other productive behaviours, to transform distressing emotions into something acceptable.
Expressions of Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Lambrecht et al. (2022) pointed out that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, diverse forms of art were used to express grief. New expressions of grief reflected both raw feelings and considered, deliberate reflection. In central London, a memorial wall opposite the Palace of Westminster was painted by bereaved families. Music was also composed for remembrance services and to commemorate those who had died. Composer Howard Goodall wrote a piece that he described as “a living memorial,” incorporating the names of 122 health and care workers who died of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.
Research on Art and Coping With Loss
Creating and consuming art have proved effective in multiple instances. Koopman (2014) examined the use of literature as a coping strategy among people who had experienced loss and compared it with the use of music. The theory suggested that these artistic media can facilitate insight, recognition, support, relaxation, new emotions, and distraction. Among 198 respondents, 64 (32%) reported using neither medium during their period of grief, 65 (33%) used only music, 19 (10%) used only literature, and 50 (25%) used both. The use of artistic media was related to the emotional experience of loss in two ways: first, a preference for emotion-focused coping was greater among those who used artistic media; second, those who used artistic media also reported a greater impact of the loss. Reading was most strongly associated with distraction, while listening to music was associated with recognition. For those using both media, this suggests a coping process that alternates between distraction and recognition. Arnold (2021) interviewed eight professional artists who had experienced bereavement, and most of them expressed how art helped them process their loss. Their paintings documented various aspects of their journey through grief and loss and contributed to their experience of meaning-making. Wixom (2012), while reflecting on her own journey of grief, discovered how her art usually conformed to American Protestant beliefs. However, as the expression of grief varied across cultures, so did its expression in art. In addition, audiovisual media, especially therapeutic filmmaking, have also been suggested to influence post-traumatic growth by integrating different art forms, such as storytelling and music, into one medium and thereby providing a holistic experience (Cohen et al., 2026).
Art Therapy as a Safe Space
The comforting impact of art has also been supported by the increasing use of art therapy, including visual art therapy, dance and movement therapy, music therapy, and other forms. Photography and writing are also used by some practitioners to provide therapeutic support to clients. Thus, varied forms of art have proved to be an outlet for emotions that remain unspoken. Art can act as a safe space for individuals who may be too distressed to process their grief through words alone.