The Koestler exhibition has once again opened at The Southbank Centre, showcasing art from offenders, secure patients and detainees across the UK. The exhibition is a fantastic and very emotive way to explore and showcase talent from people without the freedom that many of us take for granted.

This year’s exhibition is curated by Anthony Gormley, with the chosen theme as ‘Inside’. From the thousands of pieces of work submitted, there are approximately a hundred pieces that have been displayed. Mr Gormley explains:

“I would rather show very little, but make sure it is meaningful, in this emotional truth that we really can, as observers, make a bridge between ourselves and our experiences, and the experiences of a prisoner.”

The collection exhibits work from a variety of hospitals and prison all around the country. In previous years work submitted by people supported by Prisoners Abroad has been included in the exhibition. None of the submissions through us were included in the final selection for the exhibition this year, but 14 won awards ranging from Commended to Gold, in categories including needlecraft, painting and writing. We are so proud to represent submissions and encourage people to continue to put forward their work for this unique exhibition.

You can find out more about the exhibition here.

Below are previous years’ submissions from Prisoners Abroad.

    

 

“We’re all defined by our context, but however conditioned we are, our minds are always free.”

Anthony Gormley