How art is helping Chizuru live with her cancer, while helping others

Key PointsChizuru Sammut has blogged about her cancer journey and experiences with art therapy. She employs onore-sho, a form of calligraphy from Japan that encourages free and joyful expression. Art psychotherapist Dr Jody Thomson says it is important to seek out qualified practitioners.

When Chizuru Sammut was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year, she had no hesitation in sharing her diagnosis with her friends and the public.

“I’ve always believed that showing your weakness can become your strength,” the Sydney-based blogger told SBS Japanese.

“When you try and look good, people expect you to look good, and you must live up to that. It can become a vicious cycle.”

While acknowledging that every cancer journey is different, she hoped that sharing her story could help others facing similar circumstances, as well as the families and friends supporting them.

“To have some knowledge of what living with cancer is like can really help and make a difference,” she said.

Ms Sammut’s blog posts are often accompanied by works of onore-sho, an art form she started learning after her cancer diagnosis.

Chizuru Sammut shared her story at Sydney’s SBS studio. Credit: Yumi Oba

Onore-sho, which translates into “my calligraphy”, is a relatively new type of calligraphy from Japan that encourages the use of a type of brush pen to reflect and express one’s feelings.

According to Onore-sho Dojo, a Japanese association dedicated to the art form, onore-sho is about facing one’s heart, drawing honestly, freely and joyfully, and becoming absorbed in one’s work.

Onore-sho Dojo was founded in 2012 by Tadashi Sugiura, who is also known as Kaiseiken Appare.

According to him, the process is not bound by rules or restrictions, so acts as a communication tool through which one can release their feelings and connect with themselves and others.

Ms Sammut said she has received much positive feedback for her posts, with many pointing out how her art and words have given them encouragement, hope and strength, even to those without cancer.

Some of Ms Summat’s onore-sho works. Credit: Yumi Oba

Ms Sammut’s positive attitude towards her diagnosis has often surprised people.

“People say I don’t look like a cancer patient,” she said.

“I was trying to laugh off the cancer, getting everybody involved. I was a bright cancer patient.”

However, when Ms Sammut’s cancer relapsed earlier this year, the shock was so significant she was unable to blog about her emotions like she had been doing for the past year.

Getting support outside of treatment

Cancer can impact many areas of a person’s life, but there are a number of services available outside of treatment, whether it’s physical support, mental support or financial assistance.

Ms Sammut reached out to a cancer support centre through her hospital and enrolled in an art therapy group for those living with cancer.

While art has always been part of Ms Sammut’s life, she hoped to meet others going through a similar journey.

“Whether it’s cancer, motherhood or caregiving, I believe trying to overcome something on your own is the worst,” Ms Sammut explained.

A safe space to explore emotions

Dr Jody Thomson is a registered art psychotherapist with more than 15 years of experience.

In art therapy, images or objects are made using art materials alongside a therapist, she explained.

According to Dr Thomson, a therapist’s job is to provide structured, safe, respectful and non-judgemental opportunities for people to think about their lives differently and to offer a deeper insight.

“We provide a breathing space for people to express or regulate their emotions and to explore in a physical and tangible way, their stories and life experiences.”

Dr Jody Thomson is a registered art psychotherapist Credit: Jody Thomson

“It’s not about interpreting or analysing the art made, but more about guiding people to find their strength within them,” Dr Thomson explained.

For Ms Sammut, the pivotal moment of her therapy came towards the end of the eight sessions when she suddenly had the urge to draw the night sky and the water beneath.

Chizuru’s work from art therapy group Credit: Chizuru Summat

“It’s just a blue painting without boundaries [between the sky and water]. The painting itself only took minutes, but I was overwhelmed with emotions,” she recalled.

“I realised [through the painting] the importance of joyfully living in the present moment.”

“Cancer cells are created within your body. I feel that fighting it off can essentially lead to damage to the body. Instead I chose to enjoy life, and hopefully the cancer will go away.”

Since the artwork, Ms Sammut has been able to start sharing her stories on her blog again, including her precious experience of art therapy.

Finding a registered art therapist

Dr Thomson said art therapy provides a safe space to tell stories and find meaning in non-verbal and non-conforming ways, while taking home tangible memories of frustration, sorrow, joy and insight.

And it’s not exclusive to cancer support. Art therapists work with bereaved individuals, people with disability, and those in prison, refugee and youth camps, hospitals and hospices.

However, art therapist is not a protected title, warned Dr Thomson.

She suggested finding a qualified practitioner through

, a peak professional association for creative art therapies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

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