ISABEL SCHWEGEL, MD

I am an artist and socialworker from Germany working with underserved immigrant youth in Hamburg.The young people actually are from Chechnya, Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Ghana and different parts of South-Eastern Europe.

I originally graduated from the University of Cologne with a degree in curative education/art therapy, but since I also have a BA in illustration from HAW Hamburg, I also do children's book projects. Last but not least I am a member-part of the living museum cooperative.

Beautiful Dreamer
(Mixed Technique: Copic Pen, Pencil and Pen; 20 x 20 cm) 

I named this artwork „Beautiful Dreamer“ because most things start in our head with imagination, ideas, visions etc.

In order to thrive, things need a good breeding ground. I think everyone can develop the ability to draw on the power of the imagination, in this respect I agree with J.R.R. Tolkien.

This already happens unconsciously, in our dreams and daydreams, which form the breeding ground for getting in touch with inner needs, recognizing them and then getting into the flow of putting them into practice. Thank goodness this doesn't happen in an orderly fashion (we are not robots), but rather in an erratic, delayed way that is often not visible to the outside world. This is why the dreamer in the picture also has various animals in her head. It is always exciting to see when someone starts to move and to think about what helps this inner world to emerge on the outside.

Especially with children and young people from refugee backgrounds, this process needs to be supported and encouraged whenever it is noticed. Creative work of all kinds is helpful here, but should always keep the individual in mind.

https://illustratoren-organisation.de/portfolio/isabel-schwegel/