Notermans-Plijnaer

Soft daylight bathed the room of the art studio; the air was filled with ambient tones from the distant, reaching the room nearly as background music. Victor, a man living with Parkinson’s and an artist at heart, seated himself at a white table; little colourful spots marking it as the visual art production site. Opposite him sat Marjoke, a multimedia artist who doubled as a creative therapist. This was their second meeting under the umbrella of an innovative art intervention pilot study. Both were veiled in anticipation, uncertain of the next move, yet a tangible form of inspiration seemed to hover in the room. As Marjoke delicately placed a sheet of paper between them, their hands reached for the chalk in tandem, just shortly, their movements reflected each other’s hesitancy, capturing the ambiguity of the moment. But as they began to draw, something profound unfolded. The distinct style of each artist, the undulating curves of Victor’s design blending seamlessly with Marjoke’s figurative patterns, began to intertwine in an unexpected dance of lines. Lost in a shared trance, they unveiled to each other their existential depths. The paper, the chalk, the emerging work of art—all bore witness to their unique connection, a silent dialogue transcending their roles within the intervention. Deeply engrossed in the act, they met, they connected—wordlessly, yet profoundly—as co-creators of the moment, as artists. Gently, the chalk appeared to pull itself away from the paper. As their hands paused, the two artists exchanged a glance, the bond forged through their collective creation palpable. ‘It’s finished,’ Marjoke said softly. Victor nodded in agreement, ‘Yes, it’s finished.’
Though their shared artwork was complete, their journey of mutual discovery had only just begun.

Co-creation transcends mere collaboration, particularly co-creation in art: it is defined as an intricate process of shared immersion and mutual understanding.1 As Victor’s and Marjoke’s artistic strokes converged, they delved beyond mere representing some idea or image in the artwork. The synthesis of their work provided insight into the complexities of lived experiences, looking beyond the constraints of Parkinson’s (PD) and the predefined roles of patient and therapist (Figure 1: Figure 1. Catching the Co-Creative Moment). This co-creative process not only mirrors their individual journeys but showcases the potential of art as a medium for profound personal and collective revelations.

Written by Blanca T.M. Spee.