1 March 2010
Art by Offenders opens at MMU
Landmark exhibition in North West
An exhibition of artwork produced by prisoners, secure patients and detainees from across the North West has opened at MMU’s Holden Gallery, the first display of its kind in Manchester.
Art by Offenders includes over 70 artworks - painting, drawing and sculpture - and around 20 pieces of creative writing. As well as portraiture and landscape, important themes running through the show are the criminal justice system, identity, life in prison and freedom.
Helping reduce re-offending
The diverse and thought-provoking collection was selected from hundreds of the region’s entries to the 2009 Koestler Awards, a charitable scheme which has been rewarding artistic achievement in the penal and secure sectors for over 45 years.
Fiona Curran, Director of Arts at The Koestler Trust, says: “Having the opportunity to enter a prestigious awards programme, get feedback from experts and be included in a public exhibition is a huge boost to the artists’ self esteem and motivation, as well as improving their connection to home. These factors all help in rehabilitation and reducing re-offending.”
Feedback encourages and motivates
The exhibition enabled entrants from the region to be eligible for additional awards and an expert panel of judges – including MMU’s Head of Design Neil Grant, MIRIAD Director Prof John Hyatt and Creative Writing lecturer Terry Fox – selected work to receive Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards and several Highly Commended and Commended certificates.
Over the course of the exhibition visitors can also nominate their favourite artwork for the Audience Choice Awards. The three works that have most impressed and inspired visitors to the show will receive a certificate and award of between £40 and £100, whilst comments left on the nomination cards will be passed on to artists.
Art by Offenders runs until 16th March, Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm, at MMU’s Holden Gallery on Cavendish Street.
Entry is free and exhibition tours will run at 2pm on Saturday 6th and Saturday 13th March, no booking necessary.
