Lee Walker
Project title: A heuristic inquiry exploring if mindful art therapy can strengthen self-compassion and increase parental responsiveness of a parent with primary-aged children. 
Lee is an award-winning visual artist living and working on Kaurna Country, Adelaide South Australia. Born in England to Irish and Scottish parents, Lee is interested in both the human condition and ecological environments. She uses highly considered objects to construct her narratives. By observing the interplay between the selected objects in her art, Lee seeks to create a greater connection between the viewer, the work and in turn our own connection to these environments, be it external or internal.
Since graduating in 2015 from Adelaide College of the Arts with a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts & Design, Lee has been consistently exhibiting and developing her arts practice. Her artwork is now held in both private and public collections. Pursuing the Master of Mental Health – Art Therapy was a natural progression for Lee’s career as it integrates both her professional mental health and arts experience.
Lee’s research explores her interest in the internal human environment of the parent. Through a heuristic inquiry, using herself as the subject, Lee was able to examine the effects of mindful art therapy on self-compassion and how this related to her attunement with her children. This provided a deeply personal experience of self-introspection which will, in future, inform her art therapy practice.
The series Shifting Landscapes offered a new medium of exploration for Lee to complement the experience of undertaking research. The act of stitching reflected various aspects of the research process, both of which, at times, were laborious in nature, yet also filled with rich experience and ultimately fulfilment.
The pictured work, The Tempest, is an exploration of the overwhelming feelings experienced during the initial research phase. The waves represent the deep uncertainty of the path taken. The act of stitching provided refuge and eventually a moment of clarity from within the storm.
The Tempest
Embroidery thread on velvet, framed
30 x 30 cm
The Tempest is an exploration of the overwhelming feelings experienced during the initial research phase. The waves represent the deep uncertainty of the path taken. The act of stitching provided refuge and eventually a moment of clarity from within the storm.
After the Storm
Embroidery thread, ribbon and wool on velvet, framed
30 x 30 cm
After the Storm explores the feeling of relief experienced from changing course during the first stages of the research process. The calmness of the water is represented through linear stitching on velvet. The sky was stitched to evoke the movement of rolling winds. However, although there was now calmness, the path was still not one of smooth sailing.
Solid Ground
Embroidery thread and wool on velvet, framed
30 x 30 cm
Solid Ground examines the experience of navigating new directions in research. Using thread and wool, a new landscape has been created. The work also reflects the feeling of support that was received throughout this turning point.
Terra Nova
Embroidery thread, wool and acrylic on canvas, framed
30 x 30 cm
Terra Nova shares the experience of navigating a new method of research. The world of research was much like an alien vista, surreal and multifaceted. The use of a technique and material that was unfamiliar provides a juxtaposition of the unfamiliar methods of Heuristics design, which was now the direction in which the research was heading.
Meadow
Metallic thread and alcohol ink on canvas, framed
30 x 30 cm
Through the use of bold colours and metallic thread, Meadow celebrates the rich experience that the heuristic process offered, as both the researcher and the participant. Medow represents the vibrant learning opportunities that were gained.
Supernova (work in progress)
Embroidery thread, wool, sequins and alcohol ink on canvas, framed
30 x 30 cm
Supernova is the culmination of the research process. An explosion of materials represents both the explosion of knowledge and how, at times, the brain felt during the intense nature of completing a masters. This work was revisited, gradually adding new materials, up until the final days of completing and submitting the thesis, signifying that we are consistently developing and gaining knowledge.