Alison L. Thomson
 

Creative art practices can be used as a support for spiritual, psychological and neurological transformation. A trauma informed approach is central to integrating experiences of the absolute with the relative. (Thomson, 2024. See useful references below.)

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Alison Thomson is an independent artist and researcher. In 2013 she completed a Master of Fine Art by research at Monash University. This project used visual art practices to investigate Luce Irigaray’s concept of the ‘sensible transcendental’ through the lenses of Vipassana meditation and the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. (See pdf attached below or hardcopy at Monash University library.)

Luce Irigaray argues that males and females, and the categories of the masculine and feminine, are different and equally valuable. For Irigaray sexual-difference is the first and foundational difference from which all other differences arise. Through her concept of the 'sensible transcendental' Irigaray aimed to elevate the value of the sensible. (See glossary  of terms below.)

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Alison Thomson developed Irigaray's concept of the 'sensible transcendental' further into a union (synergy, integration) of transcendence and finitude, similar to metaxis in Platonic philosophy. Thomson's writing and artworks attempt to think and symbolise a 'sensible transcendental' as both process and horizon. Recent scholarship in cognitive science, psychology and the wisdom traditions refer to this approach as 'transcendent-naturalism'. (See the work of Dr John Vervaeke)

Glossary of Terms: 

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• Sensible: senses and sense objects, matter, nature, emotions, mental imagery (The sensible forms part of the category of 'Becoming' in Plato's ontology. It is typically aligned with the 'feminine' in Western metaphysics.)

• Transcendental: the divine prior to objects, ideas and forms, spirit, the intelligible, mind, intellect, rationality (The transcendental maps onto the category of 'Being' in Plato's philosophy. It is generally associated with the 'masculine' in Western metaphysics.)

• Subject: the 'I' or agent

• Subjectivity: thought, speech and action (has a spiritual, psychological and biological basis)

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Useful References:

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• History of trauma research: 'Dr Janina Fisher - The neurobiology of trauma: how trauma can alter our brain, body and behaviour' - YouTube.

• Specific effective healing practices:

  • Dr Caroline Leaf - 'How to break down toxic thoughts using the neuro-cycle' - YouTube.

  • Dr Richard Schwartz - I.F.S. (Internal Family Systems).

Image: Rosella Spider Orchid - rear view, by Alison Thomson 2014. The photograph shows the flower in first bloom. *Please note all artworks, images and text included on this site are subject to copyright laws.