Almost home
A powerful exhibit produced by Koestler Arts and curated entirely by incarcerated women reveals how creativity and second chances can transform lives.
Summary
Fiona Curran, FRSA, Chief Executive of prison arts charity, Koestler Arts, explores the power of art and creativity to transform the lives of the incarcerated. The charity has worked with six women from HM Prison Low Newton to curate an exhibition called ‘Almost Home’ at the Baltic Centre in Gateshead; it showcases 70 pieces of fine art, music and writing from those in prisons, secure hospitals and probation settings throughout the North East of England.
“Art saved my life.”
Although I studied fine art, it was only when I came to work for prison arts charity Koestler Arts that I heard this statement regularly.
The power of the arts to improve our wellbeing, ability to learn, relationships and confidence is now well known; many of us are lucky enough to have experienced it ourselves. To imagine yourself differently – as a maker, writer, musician – and to focus on your positive traits – rather than past negative labels – can be the first step in rehabilitation.
Since 1962, Koestler Arts has been inspiring thousands of adults and children each year who are either in custody, on community sentences or on probation, to participate in the arts.
Koestler Arts also produces public exhibitions, events, publications and digital content, enabling the public to experience the hope, talent and potential in the criminal justice system. When it comes to staying crime-free after release from prison, communities play a pivotal role in helping individuals, offering second chances with employment, activities and housing.
From February to May this year, visitors to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead encountered unique artwork emerging from prisons, secure hospitals and probation settings across the northeast of England. Unusually for shows in this major gallery, the exhibition’s curators were six women serving sentences in the nearby HM Prison Low Newton. The women were supported in leading the project, selecting 70 pieces of fine art, music and writing from over 300 regional submissions.
The exhibition was named Almost Home, a meaningful title for those who have experienced imprisonment. The curators recognised that, for some people in prison, it could mean looking forward to release, but for others, it could refer to worries about isolation, housing, safety or money. One curator even pointed out that some people would say prison has become ‘almost home’, as they acclimatised to its structures and routines.
The pieces the group selected for exhibition reflected these differences and themes: a suitcase created from recycled leathers; ice lolly sticks and matches; and a matchstick clock for a mantlepiece, among others.
The exhibition serves as an excellent example of why we open the powerful, often privileged, role of curator to those with lived experience of imprisonment – this allows new connections and stories to emerge. These six women have produced not just a beautiful show, but one that tells individual stories, influences audiences and celebrates the power of the arts to change lives.
Fiona Curran, FRSA, is Chief Executive of Koestler Arts.
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