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Dancing couple, which is being donated to Moorfields Eye Hospital |
Pentonville poets
A new exhibition shows the remarkable art and poetry of inmates of Pentonville prison, writes Peter Gruner
A HOST of hundred inmates/ where the fate of prisoners is shackled/ in a sunless cave, drowning in solitude.”
The above heart-felt poem called Queen’s Orphans is written by a mystery man called “O” whose work was displayed last week at an exhibition at the City and Islington College.
“O” can’t be named because he is an inmate at Pentonville prison.
The prison may be overcrowded to bursting point but it is the centre for a remarkable project where inmates are being encouraged to reflect their inner lives through art and poetry.
Many of the poems express the anguish of long-term incarceration but the Inside-Out exhibition also gave a glimpse of the humanity beyond the high walls and security gates.
Mike Cahillane, one of the organisers, said: “Our art and writing classes are about helping inmates to express themselves and giving them confidence.
“But just as important, we hope to be able to teach our students that most essential of requirements for all budding artists – how to cope with failure.
“Whether it is failure to get a piece of work done on time or failure of recognition, all creative people have to deal with it. If you can cope with failure then you can deal with success.”
Visitors to the weeklong exhibition – which started on Monday – including many senior administrators in the world of education and prison reform, were highly impressed by the standard of work.
About 15 artists and poets, all either serving prisoners, ex-prisoners or on remand, put their work on display. None can be identified in case it affects future prospects and we don’t know what crimes they have committed.
Many of them hope to continue either writing or painting when they are finally released.
The exhibition was sponsored by McGorman Transport, BMV, iMB and Noon. The three organisers were Peter Jackson, head of education at Pentonville, key skills lecturer Jenny Thomas, responsible for the creative writing, and professional artist Mr Cahillane, who teaches art.
“We’re still looking for new venues for the exhibition,” Mr Cahillane added. “There’s a lot of wonderful art and poetry here and it needs a good audience.”
The role of the arts has been recognised as a strong and vital tool in reshaping offenders’ lives, but struggles to exist within an overstretched prison service.
The paintings, which are for sale, have already raised £200 for charity and donations have gone to a prostate cancer charity and Moorfields Eye Hospital. |
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