Personal and Professional Development with a Spirtiual Dimension

Students Work

Our Courses

Art and Human Consciousness - A three year Bachelor’s level programme in Studio and Applied Art

Format

Formal and studio classes meet each Monday and Tuesday for 30 weeks a year. In addition there will be three special seminars a year which will include the weekends (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday). Independent research, with regular tutor support is an essential element of the course.

Hibernia College

Hibernia College aims to provide high quality education and research in the field of art therapy and related health and educational studies based on an integrated Anthroposophic approach.

From its inception this approach to medicine and therapies has been complimentary to education, conventional medicine and therapeutic models and are not an alternative to them.

First Year: Meeting the Material World

Our journey begins by exploring the material world, investigating the nature of substance and schooling our senses through observation, drawing, painting, sculpting and baking fresh bread. These diverse experiences are deepened through making natural pigments, charcoal and other artistic media.

The primary focus of this year is an introduction to the philosophy of anthroposophy. Students will develop confidence, insights and a variety of skills. We will explore the questions of rhythm and meaning in human biographies, both our own and others. A study of the physical, soul and spiritual nature of the human being of people from all walks of life and the relationship between the self and the world will be included.

This is accompanied by research into the world of colour through watercolour and oil painting, pastel and charcoal drawing, and an exploration of the bridge between science and art. Students will engage in independent research into the themes of certain life phases and rhythms in physical, mental and spiritual development. This research will be presented in the summer term.

No previous knowledge of anthroposophy is required. Students are encouraged to meet the material with an open mind. Our aim is to explore new ideas and alternative ways of looking at the human situation that can serve each student’s personal and artistic development.

Second Year: Navigating the Soul Landscape

The journey continues into inner realms where the landscape of the soul is revealed through colour, myth and mask work. Students research the dynamics of the human psyche/soul through art, literature and discussion. The artistic abilities and creative awareness gained in the first year are now able to “speak” more fully through the language of colour and form. The rich landscape of human emotions is given voice in painting through expressive colour moods and in sculpture through the relationship of forms. This work is contextualized through exploratory work with themes such as icon painting, the 12-fold sequence of plant development, human archetypes and their relationships with nature.

Awareness of art theory will now include the study of Goethe’s and Rudolf Steiner’s contributions on the nature of light, darkness and colour. Philosophical studies of human and world development provide a stimulating complement to and illumination of the colour studies.

The second year students engage in the process of Goethean Science research. Their study focuses on the world of plants and in particular trees. Students are invited to study one tree over the course of the year. Invariably a living and complex relationship evolves that leads to learning just as much about the tree as about oneself. This powerful method of research fosters the development of a perception of what lies behind “outer appearances”. In the summer term students give their verbal and artistic presentations of this work.

Third year: What can art serve?

On this leg of the journey we research how to metamorphose all that has been processed so far into outer activity. Our guiding questions are, “What can art serve in the world and in myself? What steps can each of us take to bring this about?”

The third year curriculum awakens a deeper cognitive understanding of relationships – between the self, the process of artistic creation and the impact of creativity on others. We will study supporting philosophy to help us build bridges between self knowledge and working purposefully in our own areas of interest.

Students research the life of an artist, becoming aware of the intimate connection between artists’ lives, their historical times and their particular mode of creative expression. From this research new works of art are inspired. These are presented in the summer term.

We aim to accompany each student's journey with individual input and guidance. Students work and study in an atmosphere which promotes their continuing creative development, their independent research aptitude and capacity for self-reflection. Students are a part of a multi-disciplinary college which fosters mutual respect and collegial awareness between course participants and the many disciplines they represent. College life is further enriched with outside lecturers, optional seminars and field trips.

For further information please contact us.