Art and the brain

'Memory' Framed sculpture by Julie Clark
'Memory', by Julie Clark

​Following my experience of surviving a subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm, I gradually became aware of the beneficial link between art and the brain. 

​Creating and studying art has played a major part in my recovery and I hope to build a resource of useful and interesting information about the brain and art here.

I will add links to articles and videos around all areas of art and the brain that I have found, but please feel free to let me know of any interesting links or stories you come across too. Here are a couple of personal stories to start, with general links on the rest of the page.

How a life-threatening illness revealed the artist in me  -  I was Interviewed by Nick Duerden for a feature in the 'i' newspaper.

Julie's recovery through art - The Brain and Spine Foundation asked me to share my story for their website and newsletter. 

Art and the brain article links
Red Shadow by julie Clark
Art helped me tell my story: brain injury survivors share self-portraits - The Guardian

The Silver Sketchers: Creating art after brain injuries - BBC News Online

Andrew Marr: my stroke made me a better artist - The Guardian
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Study says making art is good for the brain - Huffington Post

​Keeping your brain healthy can be a fine art - Chicago Tribune

​How arts training improves attention and cognition - The Dana Foundation

​Brain scans reveal the power of art - The Daily Telegraph

Food For Thought: Art is Good For Your Brain! - Art and Science Journal

Art enhances brain function and well-being - The Healing Power of Art & Artists

​Do our brains have extraordinary untapped powers? - The Guardian (Thanks to the Brain and Spine Foundation newsletter) 

Art and Play video and transcript - Professor Mark Solms, Neuropsychologist - via Futurelearn 

My scaled-down Life - My recovery (and then photography) blog on Tumblr from 2014-2015
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Organisations and further information