Opening 15 April 2010

'Knowing Ourselves as Occupational Beings:  Going Beyond Limits'

Students participate in this each year

Each year, the first year Occupational Therapy students also have the experience of ‘doing’ creative activities. There is a long history of the use of art, craft and creative activities in Occupational Therapy, going back to the foundation of the profession in the early 1900s with an understanding of the power of occupation and the harnessing of people’s creative energy. Occupational therapists need to understand the centrality of creativity to all people and the essential link between occupation and health and well-being, just as they understand the centrality of occupation in everydaily life.

The 2010 cohort of Year One Occupational Therapy students expressed pushing the boundaries and self-discovery as major themes during this first year of study.  Thus, the theme “Knowing Ourselves as Occupational Beings: Going Beyond Limits” emerged.  Discovering new areas of strength, transitioning from secondary school or a different occupation to this professional programme has offered the students many new learning experiences in which they have thrived and have truly gone beyond their limits.

Annual Exhibition

Each year, the first year Occupational Therapy students also have the experience of 'doing' creative activites.  There is a long history of the use of art, craft and creative activities in Occupational Therapy, going back to the foundation of the profession in the early 1900s with an understanding of the power of occupation and the harnessing of people's creative energy. 

Textile by 1st Year Occupational Therapy Student

Students are encouraged to learn more about themselves as occupational beings and extend this understanding to their family, friends and the people with whom they will work in the future. First year is all about ‘what people do in their everyday lives and the world in which they do it’.

Textile of bold colours

Emphasis on bright colours mixed with textured embelishments

Textile Design

Delicate lines and colour create this textile