Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2014

First Advisor

Megan Robb

Second Advisor

Shelly Goebl-Parker

Third Advisor

P. Gussie Klorer

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of textile arts to inform sense of self and authenticity in developing growth fostering relationships. Through narrative inquiry, 11 textile artists were interviewed to explore the question of how relational cultural theory (RCT) and textile arts can inform a sense of self and authenticity for use in art therapy settings. Themes in the research findings included an understanding of how participants originally became involved in textiles, their approach in the creative process, their development of relational connections with others, and how they repair relational disconnections through textile work. Relational cultural theory provided the theoretical framework to examine these findings and to consider how the use of textile arts can be applied in art therapy settings.

Share

COinS