It is humans’ nature to create, but can the creative impulse also help with healing and social connection?
Dr. Amir Khatami was forced to address this question after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor last July. Upon receiving the news, he had no choice but to leave behind his career in dentistry and open a new chapter in his life. This abrupt change would involve him devoting his time to helping hundreds of adults and seniors deal with health concerns, reducing social isolation and finding connection through visual arts.
With the support of his son, UBC medical student Parsa Khatami, and Ali Tavakoli, a UBC dentistry student, Dr. Amir created Amir Social Connection and Healthy Aging Society – a program that promotes healing and social connections through art.
Dr. Amir drew on his extensive experience in calligraphy and an art technique called marbling to create the society’s program and workshops. The workshops have now helped hundreds of seniors and adults develop an appreciation of visual art. Dr. Amir’s journey with the arts began long before he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the lifesaving neurosurgery that followed.
He had long practiced marbling, known in Iranian culture as abr-o-Bād, as a creative outlet and a way to relax with his demanding dentistry career.
Dr. Amir was taught the technique by his grandfather, and it has now been passed down in the family over seven generations, he says.
Marbling involves creating paint patterns floating on a water and carrageenan solution, which is then transferred onto paper or textiles like silks. It had originally been used in conjunction with calligraphy, but later evolved to its own stand-alone art.
Dr. Amir says his perspective changed as a result of his health challenges. The abrupt brain tumour diagnosis and surgery instigated a dark and stressful period of his life. However, he eventually discovered a pronounced “appreciation for the arts, both in its universality and grounding qualities.”
Emerging from this traumatic period gave him an understanding of how art can be a tool for healing and connection, capable of bringing joy in trying circumstances.
He and Parsa found that there was a comparable simplicity in the practice of marbling, which made it different from other traditionally technical visual arts mediums like oil painting. Because the technique was relatively simple to teach, providing materials and guidance meant that workshops could easily engage people of all ages and circumstances, leading them to a deeper appreciation of art.
Parsa’s perspective as a medical student led them to create the society, which has a goal of helping individuals find their inner creativity while reducing social isolation, which has been cited as a factor that can lead to dementia in seniors.
Many participants in the workshops have found that they resonate with Dr. Amir’s story.Creating art while having the opportunity to discuss personal experiences can provide participants with opportunities for catharsis, joy, and community.
Since starting out, they have refined their programs through trial and error, while reducing barriers to participation. They have now organized over 40 workshops, reaching out to over 400 people.
While most events are primarily organized with healthcare and long-term care providers, one of their recent workshops was supported by UBC Inspiring Community Grants, which provide up to $500 to organize events and programs that are directed towards community building.
“Seeing a room full of strangers connect over the shared experience of creating something beautiful was exactly what we hoped to achieve with this grant,” Parsa shares, while reflecting on the workshop that was held on campus earlier this year.
“The most memorable moment was seeing the look of surprise and joy on a participant’s face when they lifted their first paper from the water. In that moment, the focus shifted from ‘doing it right’ to pure discovery.”
For more information and details about Dr. Amir and upcoming events, visit amirmarble.org.
OLIVIA HAI LAI JIAO IS A STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY HILL SECONDARY SCHOOL.