Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Understanding The Value Of Narrative Drawings

By Kristen Baird


For centuries people have been telling stories through pictures. A series of pictures will often present stories as part of an ongoing story or in sequence. Looking at history it is evident that stories were passed along using art. Ancient narrative drawings there is no systematic organization making it difficult to understand the story. There are features that are common with this type of art, however different cultures have distinct ways of recognizing the specific actions of he drawings.

Before written language this type of art was a way of communicating or passing on information. However, the pictures were not organized in lines so they were difficult to read. After literacy was developed the pictures started to be organized in lines, similar to lines on pages, which helped the reader understand the direction of the narrative. Linking the scenes led to modern day story telling in comic books and comic strips.

Most everyone have seen a comic book since they have been around for many years. You have either owned one or two or had the pleasure of reading a friends. A lot of folks have memories of their father reading the funny pages of the newspaper, or perhaps read them too. Comics are very popular among children, teens, and adults. These are examples of the evolution of narrative art.

Even though comic books use language to tell a story, the sequence of the events are depicted in the drawings. In many cases stories are clearly understood simply by looking at the pictures. The books that are published for young children are another good example of this kind of art. Children who have not yet learned to read understand stories through picture books.

When small children begin to communicate, they often do so using crayon and paper. The stories they tell in their drawings are about their family and home. Sometimes they will draw a scene that is of a specific adventure they had during the day. They may draw a picture of a swing set and children playing which is telling the story of a trip to the park.

Narratives are also often used in therapy with children suffering from a trauma. The drawing of a child is often very informative. A therapist can often see the details of the trauma unfold while the child is creating the drawing. Additionally, the very act of drawing out the memory is therapeutic for the child while the therapist will get a cleared idea of the trauma suffered.

Therapists use the pictures that children draw as a way to identify what is triggering or causing them depression, anxiety, nightmares, and apprehension. Once identified, the therapist can introduce an alternative response to the triggers. The pictures are also used to analyze aspects of the trauma to help the child eliminate fear.

There are so many more examples of these types of art and the purpose that they serve. If you spend time in an art museum you will likely identify a number of art pieces that tell a story. Simply studying the ancient cave art will provide a lesson in story telling through pictures. Public signs that show stick people in specific actions are also an example of communication.




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