Art as therapy

Ronald Münch

Ronald Münch not only paints, he also wants to use his work to help people whose lives are characterised by addiction and depression. And the 45-year-old knows what he is talking about. For 20 years, alcohol and the associated mental illnesses were a recurring theme in his life. "It took me a few years to go out in the light again. But I was always painting during that time." He was recently honoured with the Chemnitz Citizens' Foundation's Citizens' Award for his work - the saufDruck project.

Project saufDruck - that sounds very tough. What's behind it?
Ronald Münch: In a nutshell, it's about giving people suffering from addiction a different approach to themselves with the help of painting. We meet regularly in my gallery, talk to each other and create art, paint pictures.

What does the 2017 Citizens' Prize from the Chemnitz Citizens' Foundation mean to you?
It was a very big surprise for me. It was very brave of the judges to honour the saufDruck project as the winner. I think that's extremely spectacular, especially for the people who took part - as a sign of appreciation.

Why courageous?
Firstly, because people suffering from addiction have a very difficult time in society. Secondly, because the name is so contested and controversial - even among many institutions. According to the motto: Is it necessary?
It's a therapeutic term that I don't really like either. But the title came about because we made a lot of prints or dealt with a lot of prints - in this case the art technique.

How did you come up with the idea that painting can help people process or overcome addictions?
It's not a patent remedy, but I try to give some ideas. I am also an addict. Alcohol and drugs have run through my life for twenty years. It was an extreme up and down in my life. I've been away from it for ten years now - an absolute gift. Painting has helped me tremendously.
With painting, I want to encourage people to access their subconscious. Really to their childhood, that's very important. That sounds crazy and many people roll their eyes. The deficits originated in childhood. To beat the addiction, you have to start becoming a child again and mould your personality. That's incredibly difficult, of course. It's like - my daughters are currently learning the saxophone - learning to play an instrument as an adult.

Does that work with painting?
I tell the people who come to me that they should paint, smudge, mould - just go for it. It's not about creating a picture, it's about the process - about making, about doing.

That sounds very philosophical.
And it is. For me, philosophy and addiction are very close to each other. I discuss a lot with doctors and therapists. We have different opinions. I am the one who has experienced it and they have learnt it.

In his gallery, which is also a kind of meeting place, at Dresdner Straße 16 at the foot of the Sonnenberg, there are many pictures - often in bright colours, abstract landscapes without titles, just labelled with a number. But the walls are also adorned with pictures by his participants. "Most of them without a signature," emphasises Ronald Münch. The reason is obvious: "Addiction and depression is still a taboo subject. There is still a lack of acceptance in society, but also among the sufferers themselves." Many people say to themselves: I have a nice house, a great family and a good job - I must be happy. "They don't want to admit it and only realise late on that they are also affected." Four years ago, Ronald Münch founded an association - GRÜNETOMATE buntwärts e.V. - to support the healing process for chronic illnesses, In 2013, he received the Saxon Self-Help Award from the VdEK for his studio project.

What exactly do you do at your meetings?
We talk and paint here. I provide the materials and the space. People bring willingness and interest. I encourage everyone because I know how colour has carried me through my life or what colour can do. It has fascinated me so much in my life and given me so many ideas. The participants can share their ideas with me. I may be able to help people through my own experiences.
For example, we started eating at one of our meetings. Some people no longer have any structure to their daily routine. Everyone brought something with them. Then it developed into a breakfast. Then we talked about visions and did exercises - like walking barefoot or taking a knife in your weak hand and making a cut. Little things like that, but I think they're important.

Who all comes to you?
My self-help group, which I've had for many years, meets here once a week. There are clubs, groups from clinics, but also individuals. So I have an absolutely broad spectrum between people interested in art, men and women from the street, in fact everyone.

How do people find you?
It's relatively well known that something like this is offered here in the studio.

Ronald Münch's vision for his work is to "find an approach to life, even though chronic illness determines your life". The participants in his self-help group, which he set up eight years ago, come to him with drug and alcohol problems and depression, among other things. "It's really remarkable. Violent people who are heavily addicted to crystal paint the most tender pictures with a lot of love. In my experience, when you ask those who scream the loudest about their childhood, you have to make sure they don't cry," says the artist. "When I see a drawing or painting like this, I know that there is hope for people. Time has moulded them into something very hard with a lot of hatred towards themselves."

Do the participants alleviate their addiction through your work or do they overcome it?
Partly, partly. Four years ago, I founded an organisation that focuses on art and chronic illness. I organise various art projects there. Last year, the award-winning project saufDruck was created.

Born in Mittweida in 1972, Ronald Münch studied sociology and psychology after leaving school. He went on to study painting and graphics at the Institute of Fine Arts and Art Therapy in Bochum. This was followed by jobs as a graphic designer, illustrator, advertising designer, restorer and photographer. His love of painting remained his constant companion. "Sometimes I painted at night because I couldn't find the time during the day." Five years ago, he gained access to these premises at Dresdner Straße 16 and has done nothing else since.

What motivates you?
I also asked myself the question of why. I don't have helper syndrome now. I can't do that either. But I know how some things feel as an addict, as a mentally ill person and therefore as an ostracised person. Addiction is so bad and feels so catastrophic that every day you get out earlier is a blessing. I want to help and do everything I can to do so.
I find it very difficult to accept things and say that's the way it is now. I can't see that. If you don't do anything, nothing can change. So I do something. If someone says that the help has got them out of addiction or helped them find themselves or allowed them to live a day longer, it was all worth it for me.

When did you start painting?
I've been painting my whole life. It's what has always kept me alive, always saved me as a child.

Who do you want to reach with your art?
Everyone. Those who grumble, those who think it's good and those who say nothing. The ones who don't say anything are the most difficult. (laughs)
I try to ask questions with my pictures. What is the world doing to me. Where do I want to go? If you ask these questions, society sees you as the one with the tit. Art is an excellent means of expression.
The underlying theme in all my paintings is life, with all its light and shadow, its suffering, all its light and dark. I try to depict visions of life, especially with elements of colour and form.

It is noticeable that your works do not have a title. Why is that?
I don't want to interfere with the viewer's emotional process and allow any freedom for feelings and interpretations. I would like to be able to move people deep inside with my pictures.

Where can people see your work apart from in the gallery?
From January 2018, my paintings can be seen at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. There are also pictures in a gallery in England.

Where do you see yourself and the city in 2025?
I like working on visions, I don't have any goals. I find the word goal terrible because I always have the conflict with it, what about when you get there? If I looked back eight years in my life and had to answer that question, I wouldn't be able to give a suitable answer. So much has happened in my life in that time. I always have an idea, and I'll still have one in eight years' time. The experiences of the past few years have made me very cautious about making such long-term plans.