International Journal of Art Therapy

White supremacy is a societal system that those with White privilege are born in to. Consideration of identity markers such as race, gender and class continue to be neglected in art therapy training and practice in the UK. Examining the social and political dimensions of individual experience can give greater context to trauma and oppression, as well as power as a socially constructed and relational entity, when we consider our clients, our colleagues and ourselves. This article engages in an epistemological discussion of practice exploring the ways in which the art therapy profession in the UK could greater engage in The Work and greater intersectional thinking, in honour of ethical practice and in support of social change. The Work is defined by People of Colour who are activists, educators and practitioners and describes the efforts of real allyship that white people show People of Colour. Theories of behaviour that perpetuate and bolster white supremacy, such as white privilege and white fragility are explored along with decolonising the visual realm and conceptions of therapist-activist work.Plain-language summaryThis article explores the concepts of White privilege and White supremacy currently and historically in the UK and how this may impact art therapy trainings, theories and practice with clients. This includes the way in which art therapists work with the art medium. Suggestions of how White art therapists may engage in The Work are explored. The Work is defined by activists, educators and practitioners who are People of Colour and describes the way in which White people may address their own part in a White supremacist society and how they can truly support People of Colour experiencing racism. Theories of behaviour such as White fragility are explored along with how they may manifest in the work of art therapists in training and practice. Intersectional thinking, which examines identities such as race, class, gender and sexuality, as they are simultaneously experienced, is considered as a self-refle...

White privilege and art therapy in the UK: are we doing the work?