“Bunches of Grapes and Bananas”: Unconstruing the Human Body in Life Drawing

Abstract

The creativity of human beings may be said to be at the heart of personal construct theory (PCT); the capacity for people to create and recreate their own lived world is the theory's bedrock. Nevertheless, it may be argued that PCT currently offers only a partial understanding of artistic creativity. In this article, the creative activity of life drawing is examined from a PCT perspective. In particular, the creativity cycle—involving both loosening and tightening—is applied to this activity. While loosening may be regarded as necessary, or at least desirable, for the creation of artistic artifacts, it is argued that tightening is held in abeyance. In light of this analysis, it is suggested that “unconstruing” may be a more appropriate concept for understanding this creative activity.