Art and Resilience

Art in Support of People Living with HIV in Benin: A Holistic and Humanistic Approach.
Art et Résilience
Art et Résilience
Award-winning project 2024 "Arts & SHS" call

To date, few studies have explored the potential of artistic practices to enhance resilience and combat the stigmatization of people living with HIV in Benin, a West African country. Artistic practice plays a crucial role in addressing the stigma and discrimination associated with individuals living with HIV. Textile art, a particularly innovative medium, has been selected for its ability to boost self-esteem and foster social connections. This artistic approach will be compared to a traditional support technique (support groups). The study will assess the benefits of art workshops, led by an artist, in comparison to support groups, focusing on the psychological and emotional impacts on boys and girls aged 14 to 24, as well as women over 25, all living with HIV. This project is the result of a collaborative effort involving several multidisciplinary teams of researchers, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, university professors, and artists. The study will take place at the Racines Medical Clinic in Cotonou, an NGO that has been supporting individuals living with HIV for 20 years. The research framework and workshops aim to highlight the therapeutic effects on social integration, mental well-being, mood, joy of life, and humanity. It is crucial to support these individuals, enabling them to 'DREAM' again.

Project led by

Olivier Bouchaud, MD PhD, Professor-Researcher, Head of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Paris 13, Head of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at Avicenne Hospital, Bobigny.

Project team

  • Laurence Caeymaex, Professor-Researcher and Senior Pediatrician at the University of Paris-Est Créteil.
  • Catherine Briand, Textile Artist, Ethno Art-Therapist, Project Manager at the TAM (Therapies Arts and Mediation) Association.
  • Sophie Fardet, PhD in Art Therapy at Paris 5, Art Therapist, Trainer, Visual Artist, Musician; Ouidah, Benin.
  • Mahougnan Soussou, Psychologist at Racines Medical Clinic, directed by Arsène Adiffon; Cotonou, Benin. Musician.
  • Lucrèce Anagonou, Psychiatrist at CNHU-HKM of Cotonou, Benin. Dancer.
  • Ornheila Zounon, Professor-Researcher in Psychology, Head of the Psychology Department at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. Musician.

Activities

aureat-arts-shs-2024
Actualité
Arts & cultures

Laureates 2024 | Arts & HSS Programme

Projects dedicated to the "Arts and humanities" theme
Published at 26 September 2024