ThoughtVectors2014

The project is about women and children and their access to health, education, art and social interaction. Art is central: it is about the process for the individual as an integrated being

be removed from their circumstances by immersing in the present and learn about themselves through the process of education and expression.

For the women, these meeting times exist in a space that provides a momentary respite from the role of mothering, where they can focus on the project before them,

We discuss how art gives shape to identity, pain and discovery as it taps into the unconscious. It connects the body, mind and spirit, allowing the opportunity to create and then step back and reflect. It is this holistic process that promotes the greatest right: human dignity.

Overall well-being has increased, contributed to by a greater sense of purpose, social connectedness, self-confidence and belonging.

In the past four years, Ngala Nanga Mai has grown into a strong, unified group that continues to prosper.

Art will forever remain one of the most effective mediums of expression. As blank canvases are filled with colours that depict stories, identities and lives, art will continue to inspire and empower change, growth and reflection. Initiatives such as Ngala Nanga Mai reveal the potential of art as a tool for promoting human development, building community and fostering well-being. Whilst law, policy and large-scale government intervention lack the capacity to ensure holistic change on an institutional level, it is vital that more creative ventures emerge that foster artistic expression, human rights and social empowerment. With motivation they are not only possible but sustainable.