Creative Freedom with Arno Stern

Enhancing Children's Psychological and Creative Development

The Start of Arno Stern’s Impact

Arno Stern, born in Kassel, Germany in 1924, passed away just a week after his 100th birthday this summer. He became a leading figure in art education and therapy through his innovative methods and deep respect for personal expression.

His journey began after World War II when he found himself in Switzerland, unexpectedly caring for a group of war orphans. With no prior experience in working with children, Stern turned to free drawing as a way to keep them entertained.

What started as a simple activity soon became something much more meaningful, forming the foundation of his life’s work and shaping a new approach to education and therapy through art.

Discovering a New Approach to Art

Stern’s initial success with free drawing led him to explore the anthropological aspects of child drawing. He conducted a study of child drawings among 20th-century tribes that had not yet been influenced by Western society. From this research, Stern developed the concept of “Formulation,” a theory that suggests all humans possess an “organic memory.” This memory, according to Stern, is expressed through free and spontaneous drawings, which reveal universal symbols and representations, irrespective of cultural or geographical background. This discovery highlighted the inherent creativity in all individuals, transcending cultural boundaries.

The Closlieu: Space for Creative Freedom

At the core of Stern’s approach is “The Closlieu,” a specially designed studio that fosters creative freedom. The name Closlieu comes from the French words “clos” (enclosed) and “lieu” (place), reflecting its purpose as a dedicated, enclosed art space. Stern first set up this unique environment by boarding up the windows of an attic in an orphanage, thus maximising the painting area while inadvertently shielding the children from external distractions like changing weather and seasonal shifts. This setup allowed them to concentrate deeply on their art.

Inside the Closlieu, the walls are covered with plain white sheets that serve as canvases. At the room’s centre is a table with an 18-colour palette, each colour paired with its own brush. This communal table allows participants to select colours and share the palette. Despite this shared space, each individual works on their own paper, keeping their creations private.

Designed to embrace personal exploration and diversity, the Closlieu imposes no age limits, evaluation criteria, or judgments. Stern believed that freedom from external pressures and a focus on the creative process, rather than the final product, are essential for personal balance and growth.

Education Through Art

Building on Stern’s principles, the concept of Integral Art has emerged as a transformative approach in education. Integral Art stresses the importance of creating a supportive and stimulating environment that encourages creativity without imposing standards or competition.

Today, this approach is used in various educational and community settings, offering a powerful means for self-expression. It encourages individuals to explore deeper aspects of life and reflect on their emotions, using art as a way to express their inner thoughts without fear of judgment.

Painting-Play

Stern’s method, known as “Painting-Play,” was developed during his work with war orphans. Over the years, he refined this method and presented it at the first UNESCO Symposium on Art Education alongside Henri Matisse and Jean Piaget.

Painting-Play focuses not on producing art for validation but on fulfilling personal needs and fostering growth. Stern believed this practice “develops the need for self-affirmation and relationships with others in a perfect equilibrium that avoids all competition.”

Impact and Legacy

Arno Stern’s work has fundamentally changed how we see art and creativity. His philosophy encourages everyone to trust their instincts and explore the richness of their inner world.

If you’re interested in integrating art therapy into your educational setting, explore our range of Art Therapy Products designed to support creative expression and personal growth.