What role do rattan figurative sculptures play in healing trauma through community art?

Rattan figurative sculptures have emerged as a powerful medium in community art for healing trauma. These sculptures, crafted from natural materials, provide a tactile and symbolic way for individuals to express unresolved emotions and experiences. In group settings, the collaborative process of creating rattan art fosters connection, empathy, and shared healing among participants.

The flexibility and organic nature of rattan mirror the journey of trauma recovery—bending but not breaking. Art therapists often use these sculptures to help communities process collective trauma, such as natural disasters or social upheaval, by externalizing pain into tangible forms. The act of weaving and shaping rattan becomes a metaphor for reconstructing personal narratives.

Community exhibitions of these sculptures further amplify their healing role, creating spaces for public dialogue and acknowledgment of shared struggles. This artistic approach democratizes trauma recovery, making therapeutic practices accessible beyond clinical settings while celebrating cultural resilience through art.