Helen Edwards
Ecological Art, Movement and Integrative Arts Psychotherapy
Having a life long artistic practice I naturally followed my path to the Masters training in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy in the mid 1990’s, then delving into Ecopsychology in the last decade. My work has naturally grown from my belief that human nature exists already a part of nature and intricately held in a greater than human ecological context. So a process of emergent change for humans already part of nature may be stimulated, regulated and held in connecting to, and feeling connected by, the natural environment. My passion for dancing in nature led me to study movement, specifically Butoh (in Japan) and Amerta Movement (in Indonesia), which place movement in ecological context. I teach, dance and choreograph movement with Cafe Reason Butoh Dance Theatre Group and am an active member of the international network of Amerta Movers.
I have swum outdoors all my life, and water in landscape offers huge inspiration and support to my experiences of creative living. As an artist I draw on all aspects of embodied natural life I encounter and which encounter me.
My creative work combines innate healing power in nature with humanistic relational work, simple breath and body awareness practice, free movement in landscape, work with natural ecology, personal reflection and creative process. My approach arises out of years of experience, research and practice as artist, arts and eco-psychotherapist, swimmer, dancer, nature lover, movement practitioner, and wildlife gardener.
In 25 years of practice as an artist and psychotherapist I have developed simple ways of providing therapeutic experiences indoors and outdoors, offering people psychological, emotional, physical or spiritual support. My experience includes working working in therapeutic communities, health and social care, education, early years settings and in employment related organisational change. I also founded innovative arts based projects for individuals, families, schools and communities, exploring working with art and ecology. I am passionate in supporting ecological consciousness, engaging mind, body and spirit and offering accessible and inclusive opportunities to a diverse range of people.
Exciting new work brings The Breathing of Life project 2023 – 2024 into being.
A year of Art and Ecology Work, including a series of indoor and outdoor open events, will revision Oxfords natural landscape at the heart of community connections in creating inspiring new art work for ‘The Breathing of Life’ Exhibition at the North Wall Arts Centre 2024. All events are free and open to all. In partnership with Freshwater Habitats Trust, The North Wall Arts centre, Cutteslowe Community Association and The Art Society Oxford.
I am a gardener and budding ecologist, working with community groups and local organisations. I am currently Chair of the Oxford Urban Wildlife Group.
Please contact me for further information about individual or group movement and awareness in landscape sessions, artistic exploration and mentoring as well as arts and ecopsychotherapy sessions, either outdoors or based in an indoor wellbeing centre.