The Image of Inclusion: Art-Making as a Spiritual Pathfinder in the Search for Purpose and Belonging
Publication information:
Abstract
Storytelling lies at the core of human experience, shaping how we interpret the world and construct a sense of self. Because dreams, memories, and emotions emerge visually long before language, storytelling relies on imagery to generate meaning. Mental imagery also shapes, in neurologically meaningful ways, how beliefs form and shift. By externalizing and examining internal meaning, visual art provides a healing pathway for self-understanding and spiritual belonging. Drawing on therapeutic, philosophical, and art-historical scholarship, this presentation examines how visual art offers a practical method for exploring essential questions that cultivate belonging personally, communally, and spiritually.
Presenter Biography
Mano Sotelo, BFA, MFA, MBA, is a visual artist and author with over 24 years of teaching experience in higher education. His work, focused on belief and value systems, has been recognized in international juried competitions and exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States. Additional information: www.sotelostudio.com.