Dr Amanda E. Woodford
Creative Arts Therapist,
Holding Space Therapeutic Arts Studio,
Dunedin, New Zealand
Making, Sharing and Mending
Dr Amanda E Woodford (Prof Doc) will share her experiences of art and arts-making embedded in therapy, community well-being, education, research, supervision, and the practice of (self) care. She will incorporate examples from community-based facilitation or well-being projects, from her arts-based Doctoral research into experiences of living with postoperative ongoing pain, and other personal works.
Amanda will speak to the nuances and benefits of an arts practice while considering abilities and difficulties, including the use of arts-making tools and spaces. She will offer arts-based techniques that she has found supportive and that others might find helpful in communicating ‘what matters’ when words alone are not enough or fail us.
The presentation ‘Making, Sharing, and Mending’ will be a bricolage, a combination of stories with images. Amanda hopes that from the various fragments of experiences shared, those gathered will find pieces that are relatable or inspirational in a myriad of contexts.
Profile
Amanda is a registered Creative Arts Therapist and an approved Supervisor with ANZACATA (the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region). She is an Academic with The MIECAT Institute in Naarm Melbourne, Australia, and a Mixed-Media Artist. Amanda currently lives in her hometown of Ōtepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand, where she is fortunate to have a quaint shop front building to practise from, which is affectionately called ‘The Shop’, one of two studios under her founding therapeutic arts practice called Holding Space.
At The MIECAT Institute, Amanda is the Professional Doctorate Coordinator and supervises doctoral candidates. She also coordinates the MIECAT’s Masters course stream – Studio Practice with a specialisation in Arts-Based Research. Both the Doctorate and Masters are in Therapeutic Arts Practice. In private practice, Amanda works as a Creative Arts Therapist and Supervisor (for practitioners and researchers).
She holds a Professional Doctorate in Therapeutic Arts Practice (MIECAT) and a Master of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy. Unfortunately, Amanda lives with more than one ongoing health condition and a body altered and disabled by surgery. Her personal experiences deeply inform her interest in inquiring into living with/in pain, disability, mending following traumatic experiences and the arts to support wellbeing personally, enhance community connection and support cultural understandings.
In addition to her therapeutic work, Amanda has worked in art galleries and design studios in other New Zealand regions, as well as London and Melbourne. She engages widely with the arts, incorporating drawing, painting, music, dance, poetry, and textile craft into her regular practice.
Synopsis
Making, Sharing and Mending
Dr Amanda E Woodford (Prof Doc) will share her experiences of art and arts-making embedded in therapy, community well-being, education, research, supervision, and the practice of (self) care. She will incorporate examples from community-based facilitation or well-being projects, from her arts-based Doctoral research into experiences of living with postoperative ongoing pain, and other personal works.
Amanda will speak to the nuances and benefits of an arts practice while considering abilities and difficulties, including the use of arts-making tools and spaces. She will offer arts-based techniques that she has found supportive and that others might find helpful in communicating ‘what matters’ when words alone are not enough or fail us.
The presentation ‘Making, Sharing, and Mending’ will be a bricolage, a combination of stories with images. Amanda hopes that from the various fragments of experiences shared, those gathered will find pieces that are relatable or inspirational in a myriad of contexts.
Speaker Profile
Profile
Amanda is a registered Creative Arts Therapist and an approved Supervisor with ANZACATA (the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region). She is an Academic with The MIECAT Institute in Naarm Melbourne, Australia, and a Mixed-Media Artist. Amanda currently lives in her hometown of Ōtepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand, where she is fortunate to have a quaint shop front building to practise from, which is affectionately called ‘The Shop’, one of two studios under her founding therapeutic arts practice called Holding Space.
At The MIECAT Institute, Amanda is the Professional Doctorate Coordinator and supervises doctoral candidates. She also coordinates the MIECAT’s Masters course stream – Studio Practice with a specialisation in Arts-Based Research. Both the Doctorate and Masters are in Therapeutic Arts Practice. In private practice, Amanda works as a Creative Arts Therapist and Supervisor (for practitioners and researchers).
She holds a Professional Doctorate in Therapeutic Arts Practice (MIECAT) and a Master of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy. Unfortunately, Amanda lives with more than one ongoing health condition and a body altered and disabled by surgery. Her personal experiences deeply inform her interest in inquiring into living with/in pain, disability, mending following traumatic experiences and the arts to support wellbeing personally, enhance community connection and support cultural understandings.
In addition to her therapeutic work, Amanda has worked in art galleries and design studios in other New Zealand regions, as well as London and Melbourne. She engages widely with the arts, incorporating drawing, painting, music, dance, poetry, and textile craft into her regular practice.
Art Therapy in Brunei Darussalam
Nadiah will discuss about pioneering art therapy in Brunei based on experience – in the community (past projects under OpenHearts, experiences with UBD and working freelance with support from Clarity) and in hospital.
She will share her experiences working with people with disabilities (neurological disorders such as stroke, seizures, individuals with chronic pain/migraine and cancer) and how they have benefited from art making.
Nadiah will also highlight the benefits of art therapy and the challenges for art therapy in Brunei Darussalam. Nevertheless there is potential for the growth of art therapy in Brunei Darussalam and contribution to the community, jobs and the economy.
Profile
Nadiah Suhaili is a practising art therapist at Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre and is a current member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Association (ANZACATA). She earned her masters at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Nadiah is currently working with individuals with various physical, cognitive and mental disabilities with a wide age range of adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly. She has worked with individuals who have struggled with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, abuse and neglect.
She explores different art making techniques to cater to individuals needs in hopes to provide a safe space to freely express and explore internal conflicts.
Synopsis
Art Therapy in Brunei Darussalam
Nadiah will discuss about pioneering art therapy in Brunei based on experience – in the community (past projects under OpenHearts, experiences with UBD and working freelance with support from Clarity) and in hospital.
She will share her experiences working with people with disabilities (neurological disorders such as stroke, seizures, individuals with chronic pain/migraine and cancer) and how they have benefited from art making.
Nadiah will also highlight the benefits of art therapy and the challenges for art therapy in Brunei Darussalam. Nevertheless there is potential for the growth of art therapy in Brunei Darussalam and contribution to the community, jobs and the economy.
Speaker Profile
Profile
Nadiah Suhaili is a practising art therapist at Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre and is a current member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Association (ANZACATA). She earned her masters at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Nadiah is currently working with individuals with various physical, cognitive and mental disabilities with a wide age range of adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly. She has worked with individuals who have struggled with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, abuse and neglect.
She explores different art making techniques to cater to individuals needs in hopes to provide a safe space to freely express and explore internal conflicts.
Nur Nadiah Suhaili
Certified Art Therapist,
Brunei Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre, PJSC,
Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam.
Fireside Chat: Personal Experience & Journey Behind the Canvas
Moi Sun
Co-Founder,
Larvsh Concept
Panelist
For Moi Sun, painting is not just a creative outlet but acts as a crucial way to manage her health challenges including a tremor in her right hand – a challenge that many may find limiting. Yet, through painting, she improves her motor skills and finds a sense of calm. The soft, pastel colours she uses reflect the peace she feels when she paints.
But Moi’s story doesn’t stop there. Her love for art led her to co-found Larvsh, turning her creativity into a successful business. In 2024, she created ‘Nourqia by Larvsh’ a special line of headscarves that combines her artistic expression with fashion. Through these projects, she continues to grow as an artist and inspire others.
Haji Padzil bin Haji Ahmad
Artist
Panelist
Haji Padzil (P.S.B., P.J.K,P.I.K.B,. P.K.L) retired in 2010 from the civil service as an officer in charge of exhibitions at the Brunei Museum. He also received the Exemplary Employee Award of Brunei Museum from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in 2003. He has an art gallery at the Yayasan Complex which was popular with visitors and it was where he also taught foundational art to students during the weekends from 2007 to 2016.
In 2016, Haji Padzil’s life took an unexpected turn when a brain tumor was discovered. After undergoing treatment, he embraced painting again in 2019, and was grateful that he was able to continue to paint till today. He believed with prayers, a positive mindset and good daily habits he was able to recover. Haji Padzil has been active in producing an impressive 10 – 20 pieces of artwork every month after this episode of health challenge.
Nasihin Lisa
Artist
Panelist
Nasihin Lisa is a first-class graduate in Design and Creative Industries from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, expresses his creativity through both traditional (acrylic painting) and digital artwork (comics under the pen name Sihin Komik). His artistic journey has taken him into diverse range of mediums, blending the old with the new.
Currently, Nasihin works as an Assistant Manager and art instructor at Creative Space Art Gallery and Studio, collaborating with prominent Bruneian artist Osman Mohammad since June 2022. Together, they have been curating art exhibitions in the gallery and teaching art workshops such as painting, drawing and comics.
Danish
Student
Panelist
Danish is a determined student at a local secondary school that has a Special Educational Needs Programme called the Pre-Vocational Programme. This programme helps in developing identified students with basic academic, living and social skills, while instils vocational and work skills through appropriate work placements. Completion of the programme aims to produce independent individuals striving towards their fullest potential.
Danish was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since the age of three, but that did not stop him from his dream of becoming a professional artist.
Moderator
Dr. Irene Yap is the Head of Economics, Research, and Statistics at the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank and also the Founder and CEO of SynARTgy Company.
Dr. Irene sees value creation through the eyes of an economist that can go beyond something tangible. She is supportive of the art industry as she believes in the encompassing value of art from personal development to community building and professional opportunities.
She has been actively involved in community art initiatives in both Brunei and Australia, recognising the profound social and psychological benefits of artmaking both at personal and community levels. This passion led to the creation of SynARTgy Company. She promotes artmaking as a tool for mindfulness and well-being, besides fostering bonding and creativity in the community.
Dr. Irene Yap
Head of Economics, Research, and Statistics,
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank
Canvas of Calm Forum
Harnessing Art for Healing and Well-being
The Garden’s Veranda Banquet Hall, Rimba Garden Centre, Brunei Darussalam
Saturday, 21 September 2024
8.30 am – 12.00 noon
- The Garden's Veranda Banquet Hall, Rimba Garden Centre, Brunei Darussalam
- Sat, 21 September 2024
- 8.30 am – 1.30 pm