"Just..." – A healing art space amidst modern life
In the modern pace of life, people are increasingly prone to stress, imbalance or feeling lost. But amidst that rush, there are still small initiatives that quietly nurture hope and provide spiritual support. The community handmade project “Just…” initiated by Bao Sang Psychology - Art Space, was initially formed as an initiative to make handmade items from fabric, aiming to support employment for women in special circumstances and autistic youth.
Along with handicraft activities, the project also organizes therapeutic painting experiences, notably: Mandala - Zentangle drawing, color painting and papier-mâché.
The “Just…” project is a non-profit activity, the products do not focus on the product but on the creative journey. One of the outstanding activities is Mandala and Zentangle drawing meditation. Mandala is an ancient symbol of balance, often expressed through symmetrical circles. When applied in art therapy, Mandala and Zentangle become a means to help people turn inward.
With repeating circles or patterns. Each line is like a steady breath, gradually taking the mind away from the daily chaos. The beauty here is not in the finished picture, but in the state of stillness during the practice. Many young people share that after drawing Mandala, they feel their mind is relieved, as if it has been rearranged. The rhythmic repetition of Mandala and Zentangle becomes a therapy to “clean” the mind, bringing people back to a simple balance.
Ngan Ha, a participant in the experience, shared: "Drawing Mandala helps me feel like I'm living in my own creative world, separate from the pressures of work. Just by focusing on each circle, I feel all my worries fall behind."
Mandala paintings completed during the sessions
Unlike Mandala, which emphasizes order, color-shifting paintings direct people to freedom. The artist does not control each brush stroke, but lets the colors blend and flow in their own way.
The uncertainty of color is what makes it special. It forces participants to let go of the need for control, to let their emotions be liberated. Each palette becomes a flow of moods: sometimes bright, sometimes dark, but always true.
Color painting with random and free color patches
Another activity is papier-mâché painting. This process requires participants to knead dough, apply layers, and adjust details until the shape is complete. These seemingly simple movements have the effect of regulating emotions, helping to reduce irritability and restlessness.
Psychologist Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao - Initiator of Bao Sang Psychotherapy - Art Project shared: "Using hands to shape materials brings direct interaction between body and mind, thereby stimulating creativity, improving concentration, and supporting cognitive and behavioral restructuring. Dough painting not only creates unique art products but is also a journey to adjust, balance and renew energy".
Participants experience focusing on each layer of pulp.
Not only young people, but also the elderly are excited about the experience of papier-mâché painting.
Art becomes therapy for the soul
None of the three activities above require artistic talent. Participants do not need to know how to draw or be skillful; the important thing is to dare to try and express. In that space, everyone has the freedom to create, to be listened to and to share. The target audience is quite diverse, from students, postpartum women, to families who want their children to try their hand at creativity, or simply those who want to find a moment of peace. Each person brings a story, but all leave with a common feeling: relief and empathy.
Mother and daughter create together with papier-mâché paintings
Creative students apply paper pulp to Mandala painting
The special thing after each experience session is not only the completed paintings, but also the small pieces of paper with thank you notes and shared feelings. That is the way for participants to leave their personal mark, as well as express their sympathy for the creative space that Bao Sang has created.
Small pieces of paper with thanks and feelings after the experience
The “Just…” project was launched as a community initiative and has completed phase 1 after creating a small community where participants can learn how to make handicrafts, share and connect. In the plan, phase 2 will be implemented with the support of sponsors to expand the scale and maintain it long-term.
The workshop, organized by the "Just..." project, attracted the participation of many families and young people.
Outside the project's framework, some art experiences are still held regularly with a fee of 150,000 - 300,000 VND/session. This fee is mainly to cover materials and maintain the space.
Whether approached from an individual or community perspective, the three art activities of Mandala drawing - Zentangle, color painting, and papier-mâché painting all show special power: helping people release emotions, regain balance and stimulate creativity. And perhaps, the most important thing is not the finished work, but the journey of dialogue with oneself, to realize that peace can always be found, even in the simplest things.
