Juquery: A Place Where Art and Psychiatry Make History
A personal story by Juliane Pfeiffer on the connection between art, therapy, and her family history – inspired by the Living Museum Society's visit to the ‚Soy loco por ti Juquery‘ festival.
What began as an internship as part of my art therapy training evolved into an unforgettable journey filled with personal and professional discoveries. After an introductory meeting with Nicole Ottiger, I learned that the Living Museum Wil was planning a project in São Paulo, my birthplace. Two weeks into my internship early September, I embarked on an adventure with Rose Ehemann, founder of the Living Museum in Europe, and Isabelle Wachsmuth from the WHO to a seminar and art festival at the former psychiatric hospital Juquery, near São Paulo.
Juquery holds significant historical importance as one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Brazil. Founded in 1898, it was long known for its restrictive treatment methods. Over time, however, psychiatry evolved, and so did the methods used in Juquery – particularly thanks to the introduction of an art studio by psychiatrist Osório César in the 1920s. Influenced by Freud and Jung, César saw art as a medium to access the inner worlds of patients. Nise da Silveira also played a pivotal role in establishing art therapy, promoting creative, non-invasive approaches, and founding the ‚Museum of Images of the Unconscious‘. Her ideas, inspired by Jung, connected art with mental health.
The festival ‚Soy loco por ti Juquery‘ , held from September 12th to 15, 2024, celebrated for the sixth time the creative power of patients and the artworks that emerged within the context of psychiatry. It was a cultural event that interwove history, psychiatry, and art. The diversity of activities – from art exhibitions to theater performances, music, and workshops – was truly impressive. Victor Fisch, the festival’s artistic director, played a key role in turning the event into a place of exchange and inspiration. The participation of Rose and Isabelle, who spoke about the transformative impact of art on health and the experiences of the Living Museum, was central to the event. Our presence symbolized the fruitful collaboration between the Living Museum and efforts to revive Juquery’s historic art studio. I was deeply honored to translate the lectures during the seminar, contributing to the successful communication of our message.
A special discovery for me was the story of my grandmother Inga Pfeiffer, who had worked as an art teacher in Juquery. This emotional connection became apparent to me during our visits to the Osório César Museum. I felt the deep intertwining of my family history with art and its role in Brazil. Particularly inspiring was meeting Michelle Louise Guimarães, a museologist who guided us through the museum and showed us its impressive collection of over 8,000 artworks. Created by psychiatric patients, these works stand as evidence of the healing power of art and the visionary approaches of Osório César and Nise da Silveira. We also had the chance to speak with Elielton Ribeiro, the museum’s collection manager, and Flavia Mielnik, an artist, educator, and researcher, both of whom are passionately dedicated to reviving Juquery’s art atelier.
Another highlight was a meeting organized by my mother Stefanie Pfeiffer with the artist Maria Bonomi, a former student of my grandfather, art historian and curator Wolfgang Pfeiffer. Bonomi, renowned for her work in printmaking and her social and political influence, reflects on the connection between art and madness in her essay ‚Artista delirante, delirante artista‘. Visiting her studio and discussing art and therapy revealed to me just how deeply art is rooted in my family and how it connects generations.
An exciting experience was the installation of an artwork by Sten & Oli, a street artist from the Living Museum Wil. With the support of Brazilian street artist Enivo, we were able to place the piece on Avenida 23 de Maio, one of São Paulo’s busiest streets. Enivo, whose works capture social inequality and urban realities, guided us on an inspiring graffiti tour, sharing moving stories about the power of art in the city’s poorest neighborhoods. The paste-up by Sten & Oli became a symbol of collaboration and cultural exchange between Brazil and Switzerland.
The journey also brought me back to Petalusa, an art and therapy center I founded in São Paulo in 2014 and which is now run by my friend Miyuki Yamamoto. Petalusa, now known as Espaço Travessia, is a warm and creative space that reflects my values and philosophy, where art serves as a path to transformation and self-discovery. Showing this special place to Rose and Isabelle was a moment of profound joy and meaning for me.
This journey was an unparalleled gift of synchronicities. It offered me new perspectives, deepened my connection to art, and strengthened my commitment to promoting art as a transformative force for mental health. It was fulfilling to share my homeland and its cultural treasures, forge family connections together with my mother, and delve deeper into the rich history of art therapy in Brazil. A patient at the Living Museum recently asked me how I experienced my move to Switzerland. I answered that I felt at home from the start – but now I know why I am here.