Che Vincent
Project title: Does combining yoga and art therapy improve emotional state and support emotional regulation? - A heuristic study
Throughout her work as an artist, student and teacher, Che has experienced the healing and transformative power of the arts. She uses arts practice to explore experiences of past and present, and to find a space in stillness. Yoga and art have been the main practices that ground and support Che to connect to the physical body and explore the world around her.
Working through various art methods developed Che’s love and passion for ceramics. The power of clay is in it’s tactile nature and its connection to the earth. Clay and using the pottery wheel are grounding and soothing experiences for Che; the tactile quality of clay on the wheel soothes her nervous system and provides a deeper connection to the materials. Che uses clay to produce functional ware that explores form, surface and ritual. She is interested in ceremony and its function for humans to connect.
Che has worked with community and schools as both a teacher and in mental health support roles. Seeing arts being devalued in educational settings led to Che leaving teaching and pursuing mental health work and now art therapy. Art therapy provides opportunities to explore emotions and connections thereby improving mental health. It can also be a tool of learning for social and emotional skills, to regulate and to be mindful.
As a yoga and meditation teacher Che incorporates art practices into workshops and retreats, which has inspired the theme of her thesis for the Masters of Mental Health.

Ceramic
20cm
This work represents the initial phase of the research process where I am beginning to gather what is important.

Ceramic
22cm
This Work represents making progress in the research process, where I am still gathering in all the necessary information.

Ceramic
18cm
This Work represents the journey in containing what is being discovered

Ceramic
16cm and 15cm
This Work represents the journey in connecting and immersing in experience

Ceramic
11cm
This Work represents the concluding of research journey and all the gold of discovery.

Ceramic
9cm and 11cm
This Work represents the offering out of the findings.