Fiona Scottney - The Uncertain Journey of Cancer:

Uncertainty, change & loss are common experiences for those living with cancer. The Open Studio art therapy group at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre aims to provide a safe space for cancer patients and their carers to explore such life-changing experiences through creativity and social engagement.

In this lecture, Art Therapist Fiona Scottney will explore the interface between the concept of liminality, existentialism, identity and the role of art, play, and communion in art therapy. Examples of participant experience will be used to demonstrate how the open studio and exhibition can provide opportunities to create, reflect on and contemplate uncertainty, confront change and renegotiate identity following the experience of cancer.

About the presenter

Fiona Scottney is a Senior Art Therapist at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, and co-ordinator of the Centre’s art collection and exhibitions. Specialising in the provision of art therapy in the comprehensive health setting, Fiona has developed an art therapy program that focuses on the psychosocial concerns of cancer patients & their carers, with a focus on wellness and mind/body integration, community engagement and social inclusion. Fiona has previously worked in the areas of mental health, drug & alcohol, chronic diseases, psycho-gerontology, deaf/ blind and intellectual disability. She has held academic positions at La Trobe University in the Master of Art Therapy program where she taught art therapy research skills, group art therapy and facilitated group supervision for students on placement. She currently supervises art therapy students from MIECAT and La Trobe University on placement at the ONJ Centre and is an experienced presenter and researcher in the area of cancer and supportive care.