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Abstract
This chapter concerns the heritage of artistic expression in psychiatric inpatient care. Former mental health institution, Lillhagen hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden and the artistic activities that took place there are presented. These artistic activities are currently revived in an art studio at a psychiatric inpatient unit in Gothenburg, where an art studio has been established in an abandoned room in the basement. Two days a week, patients are invited to paint together with an established visual artist. The art studio is a transitional space; patients are encouraged to use it, co-create it, and leave traces. The studio is capable of holding the patients and invites them to have the courage to create, play and to trust the artistic process. Thereby the art studio provides alternatives to current tendencies toward reductionism and standardized interventions in psychiatric care and revives the heritage of integrating art in psychiatry.