A Visual Approach to Peace Mediation: Exploring the Conceptual Potential of Visual Art-Making in Peace Mediation

Abstract

The study explores the conceptual potential of developing a visual arts-based approach to peace mediation. An analysis of literature in mediation research points to such gaps as lack of the disputing parties’ understanding of positions, interests and values as well as the inefficiently explored and utilized potential of mediation for creativity. Employing the grounded theory methodology, the study bridges the fields of mediation, graphic recording and art therapy to explore whether visual art(-making) could address the gaps and practical challenges of mediation. Combining analysis of related literature and of empirical data gathered through semi-structured intensive interviews with experts in the fields of mediation, graphic recording and art therapy, the study explores what elements and qualities of visual art(-making) could serve as basis for the development of the concept of visual arts-based mediation. Visual arts-based mediation emerges as an approach to peace mediation implying the utilization of visual art-making throughout the mediation process, with concrete stages and degrees of employment of visual art-making left to the discretion of the mediator. A visual approach to mediation would imply bringing the experiences of the conflicting parties to the forefront of mediation research and practice, thus contradicting the current emphasis on the role of the mediator in literature. The study further discusses the possible risks and limitations of visual arts-based mediation, including those of visual art serving to aggravate the conflict, not answering to the needs of the conflicting parties of different cultural backgrounds, age groups and gender as well as overriding the purpose and goals of the mediation process. Further avenues for research regarding visual arts-based mediation and implications for its applicability are outlined. Visual arts-based mediation is found to not be directly generalizable, but to be a potentially effective approach for mediators to have as an option in designing peace mediation processes which would answer to the specific needs and wants of the disputing parties. In the realm of peace and conflict research, the study also touches upon the possibility of peace having visual qualities and of visualization contributing to peace through legitimizing the search for and visions of it.