The Koestler Award is evidence that art can change lives. Attracting over 5,000 entries a year from inmates of prisons, young offenders institutions, secure psychiatric hospitals and immigration removal centres, it’s aim is to help and motivate detainees to participate and hopefully achieve success in the arts. The awards also increase public awareness and understanding of the ideas and experiences of prisoners and patients throughout the UK.
This exhibition gives a touching insight into the lives locked away from public view. Most works, that range from carved wooden boxes, to sculptures, to oils on canvas, were labelled with ‘Anon’. The only evidence of the artist’s identity was often a small set of initials hazardously and somewhat coyly painted in the bottom corner. I was instantly surprised at how brilliant most of these pieces were- they could easily have been mistaken for the work of accomplished, trained artists and I questioned where all this incredible creativity and imagination arose from bearing in mind their oppressive and mundane surroundings.
One particularly touching work was ‘Bug Life’. Over the space of 2 ½ years stuck within the same prison cell, an inmate had named and collected every single bug that had lived and died around him. He then stuck their bodies on to a canvas, along with their name, date and reason of death. The feeling of this man’s loneliness was heart breaking here. The fact that he valued the presence of an insect as company reflects the desperation of so many prisoners and patients perhaps unable to connect with others on a human level or so isolated that they have little choice but to seek companionship through other things.
Another great work was a prison pillow that had written upon it a letter from a father to his son, whom he had never met. The image of this man’s sleepless nights were at the forefront of my mind and his anguish was evident right through from the obvious speed of his messy writing that claimed ‘Daddy’s gunna come back soon’ to the pillow’s evidential creases of his insomnia.
‘After A Visit’ was a simple painting that was extremely thought provoking. An anonymous inmate had painted a man sitting in a chair, holding his face in his hands. On top of his face appeared to be another, as if he were putting on a mask. His huddled over body language and un-smoked cigarette in his hand showed that this man was experiencing deep emotional pain. On the panel beside the painting, the artist stated that his work represented the difficulties prisoner’s face when trying to speak to families during visiting time. He explained that most inmates put on a ‘new face’ when they see their loved ones, attempting to protect them from knowing the truth about prison life.
‘Freedom’ was a fantastic painting depicting a man standing on an empty beach, looking out into the ocean and raising his arms up in a gesture of accomplishment. My own freedom and ability to have independence did dawn upon me at this moment and although the painting was ultimately sad, it was hopeful too.The exhibition also included a poetry book with prisoner’s poems written in it. I sat and read every one, and each seemed to repeat the same themes of longing, endless running away and craving for love and affection.
At the end of the exhibition you are encouraged to vote for which painting you thought deserves to win the Koestler Award. The chosen artist will receive support toward his art for a year after he is released in the hope that his creativity will continue.
The works in this exhibition are extremely poignant, and upsetting though some may be, it is also uplifting to see that art can indeed offer the mind a little peace and reflection that so many of these troubled artists need.
The Royal Festival Hall, Free admission, Until December 2nd.
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