Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Art and mental health

I resisted temptation this week while in Wellington. Pablo's Art Studio and Gallery was having its annual art auction. The last time I attended their auction I had to hire a taxi mini van to take my paintings home. I thought they were all exceptional.

It's not that they each cost very much, most were just a few hundred dollars. That's one of the reasons I bought the number I did. But it was mainly because the paintings definitely had a "look, rhythm and feel" of their own. Pablo's isn't your usual Art Studio.

It's where people with mental health issues can get creative. Pablo's artists learn that art can often help them cope. Apparently throughout history there has been this connection with creativity and mental health. Most of the work is on canvas but different forms of art are encouraged too.

Each year many of Pablo's artists enter pieces to sell in the auction. The auction is well attended and over the years has increased in popularity. People buy what they like and no doubt some hope to score the work of an artist who may one day become celebrated in New Zealand. I suspect most of the artists never knew they had a creative bone in their body before they arrived at Pablo's and discovered a new hidden talent.

The artists are there on auction night and are happy to talk about their paintings and what's inspired them. This approach to assisting people to live and cope with their health issues is one I really applaud.

It is innovative and allows the artist to undergo a journey of self discovery. They often use paintings to tell their story, or parts of it. But the paintings aren't sombre and gloomy. They depict life.

I'm not the type to stand in front of a picture wondering which way's up or what is it the artist is trying to say here.

I like to make an immediate connection. Art is very personal. What suits one person may not be another's cup of tea. Some of Picasso's paintings I wouldn't hang in my loo.

But that's just me. His paintings will always sell for drop dead prices because they're his works. I don't mind who the artist is. I look at my hotch potch collection of paintings and my heart always jumps.

I get a thrill every time I catch myself looking at them. A little like looking adoringly at the person you love, even after 20, 30 or 50 years. But there's recently been a change to how I feel.

With my move to a smaller home I packed away all my paintings. Every single one. The family are confused and I must admit to being a little myself. I'm not sure why I have decided to do this.

There isn't one picture hanging in my cottage. I have put them all in storage. I never thought I would ever tire of looking at them. Have I tired of them or am I over paintings altogether?

I just know that right now I don't want anything hanging on the walls. Could this be a quasi-midlife crisis? Look around for something new and fresh.

Possibly. A friend tells me it's only stuff. We shouldn't get too attached to things. If we should lose them we will often find we lose ourselves. Whatever. That sounds rather New Age to me.

But I do know that "things and stuff" don't seem to hold the same importance any longer as they once did.

It's like older people who start to give away their treasured possessions to family and friends while they themselves are still around. I don't think they have fallen out of love with their treasurers, it's just that they want family and friends to experience the same pleasure they have had, earlier rather than later. That's the explanation I prefer.

Pablo's artists are creating and producing work that bring them enjoyment and satisfaction. They come to Pablo's for all sorts of different reasons. They're building self-esteem and confidence.

At the same time they increase their understanding of living and coping with mental health issues.

There are also the thousands of people who have bought paintings over the years. They buy from Pablo's because they love the art work and see the auction as a fundraiser, with art and money going to a fantastic cause.

The artist's joy and talent has been passed on and shared. I hope Pablo's reached their fundraising target this week. They and other similar organisations deserve as much financial assistance as possible. This is an investment in a strong community integration project.

I rather wish now I had let temptation get the better of me. My walls might be humming this weekend if I had.