Another Me


Interesting exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall organised by Koestler Arts, the UK’s leading prison arts charity showing work by people in prison and on probation.

This year’s show was curated by the jazz musician Soweto Kinch who has tried to highlight the depth of experience. The show was split into three sections Stained Glass Superman, Disco Dogs and That Was Then, This is Now but I’m not sure I understood the theming.

There were paintings, sculpture, poetry and this year there were also examples of songs. I didn’t have time to listen to many of them but was very impressed by the production and content of the ones I did spend time with. The work showed how art can help people work through issues in their lives as well as creating a diversion in different times.

Highlights this year included a top hat made of sculpted paper from books and magazines, a lovely portrait from HM Prison Warren Hill where the light came through small holes in the left hand of the picture lighting half the face, and the collage of buttons shown here called “What’s the Soup Today?” from Littlehampton Probation Service.

Closes 3 November 2019

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