Designer says arts should not be first cut from rehabilitation

Designer Tanja Levý says creative work plays an important role in rehabilitation and warns that arts are often among the first things cut when funding is reduced. She spoke to mbl.is’s Dagmál programme.

Levý was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has since attended rehabilitation at Ljósið, including clay classes. She says the classes have been important to her recovery and that research has also demonstrated the value of arts in rehabilitation.

At the classes, she met women going through experiences similar to her own. They formed friendships she expects to last a lifetime, sometimes talking about their illnesses, sometimes laughing together, and at other times simply working with clay.

“It didn’t matter what we were making, even if it was a really ugly candle holder. What mattered was being part of the process together. Something magical happens there,” Levý said.

Jökull Jónsson, who supported her during her illness, said people do not need to be designers or have artistic skills to benefit. Making something with their hands, even just kneading clay, can prompt conversations that might not otherwise happen. “It’s not about making beautiful things,” he said.

The experience at Ljósið encouraged Levý to learn more. She is now taking two courses in arts and wellbeing, exploring research into the effects of creative work and how it can help people in rehabilitation.

Levý and Jónsson run the design studio Stúdíó Plútó. They designed this year’s Pink Ribbon while Levý was receiving cancer treatment. In the programme, they also discuss facing her illness together and how designing the ribbon helped them process the experience.