Abstract

Using an arts-based approach, this research examines the effects of the materiality of forts on the researcher and explores the possible implications in an art therapy context. A review in literature considers connections between forts as a place of memory elicitation as well as therapeutic containers. Further review of literature investigates forts in relation to play, place attachment and house or home. The specific arts-based methodology used to explore the experience of the materiality of ten forts built by the researcher is outlined. The three themes used to explore the experience of the forts were bodily sensation, feelings and memories elicited. Information on these three themes were recorded at four points in the production and while experiencing of the forts: before fort production, while making the forts, and experiencing the forts on the outside and inside. Based on the details gathered from the arts-based inquiry into forts, the information is compared and discussed in respect to material, structural and experiential differences. The discussion based on the experience of the ten forts is then analyzed using art therapy and related field research to suggest possible uses of forts in art therapy practices.