LA JOLLA — Dr. John Diamond thinks that the act of painting can be healing to the body, mind and soul of the painter. But Diamond also believes that in the future we will know how to make paintings that can heal the viewer as well as the creator. Diamond hopes that art of this nature will be placed in clinics and hospitals to facilitate patient healing by the mere act of being looked at. Although Diamond acknowledges that there are many works of art that have powerful and moving effects on us, he says that no one before him has actually set out to create art that was deliberately made for healing purposes. Diamond considers himself a pioneer who is opening up a whole new field. A collection of Diamond’s paintings titled “Life Energy Art: Still Point Painting,” which profess healing power, are on exhibit at Galeria Jan, located at 1250 Prospect St., until Dec. 31. Galeria Jan is known for its art exhibitions which address important social issues, and this is no exception. Diamond was born and raised in Australia. He was trained in the western medical tradition and became a psychiatrist. His first job was at a mental hospital where he took the unique approach of focusing on building upon the good he could find in each patient. Diamond’s theory is that most patients “have two wheels on dry land and two stuck in the mud. My job is to get all four on dry land.” He does this by helping them find “their deep soul through opening up their creative energies.” Over the years of his medical practice, Diamond branched out to incorporate all forms of healing, including alternative and holistic medicine. He founded The Arts-Health Institute and The Institute for Life Energy, has authored more than 20 books and exhibits his art and photography throughout the world. Diamond’s exhibition at Galeria Jan is an assortment of different sized paintings, mostly in black and white, with circular flowing brush strokes, and a distinctive calligraphy feel. When he uses color, which he admits he is still learning about, it is in dense kaleidoscopic patches, which seem to have a certain depth. Diamond said that his work is most similar to the Japanese Manga School of Painting, which derived from the Chinese Southern School of the Sung Dynasty. But Diamond has no training in these methods or any other. He is completely self taught, and humbly admits, “I have no idea what I am doing. I don’t know how I do it or how it happens. It just happens as if it is being done through me.” In his pamphlet “A Few Words on Art,” Diamond writes, “I am primarily a healer — not an artist. I believe that the primary purpose of art is to enhance the spirit of all.” Diamond proposes that the test of art is, “Does it help you enthusiastically, passionately, whole-heartedly, and gratefully embrace your whole life? Does it raise your Life Energy?” Diamond says that the purpose of his paintings is, “to make it a little easier to see the spirit everywhere.” In the exhibition brochure he writes, “Viewing Life Energy Art helps to reduce stress, free up one’s breathing, and enhance Life Energy.” He says that his art points to the three important principles of “beauty, blessedness, and belovedness.” For further information call 858-551-2053 or see www.galeria.jan.com or e-mail [email protected].
