Artists Behind Bars

Splashes of colour brighten the dull monotony of the institutional landscape. Brilliant sunsets and surging seascapes are brought to life by prison inmates who are learning to express themselves through their artwork. 

Each year, PF Australia brings prisoner artwork to public display through a national exhibition. PF encourages prison inmates around the country to express themselves through the creativity of painting and drawing. The resulting works of art are displayed and judged in local state competitions and then combined for a national exhibition entitled, “Art from the Inside.”

During this year‘s competition, prisoners were instructed to illustrate their thoughts on the meaning of justice. “I drew Christ from behind to make it seem as if we‘re following him through the injustices in the world today,” commented an artist who won 2nd place in the drawing category. “The bright colours used give Christ the explosion of goodness overpowering the darkness, and justice being made if we follow Christ,” he added. Another prisoner used his painting to illustrate the change he experienced after becoming a believer, saying it was inspired by “the realisation of having lived my life in the dark and now finding my way into the light.” The first place artist used his drawing to illustrate “lady justice” using symbolic images, explaining that it is a “symbolic parody of the nature of how truth and justice are seen today.” 

Some of the participating inmates had never drawn before and discovered their hidden artistic talents as they learned an entirely new way of expressing themselves. In addition to the benefits of self-expression, the public display of the artwork serves to boost the inmates‘ confidence and self-esteem.  “Each entrant gets a certificate with positive and encouraging comments from the judges,” explains Ian Minnis of PF Australia, “winners in each category get a fancier certificate as well as a monetary prize.” 

Art has long been used as a therapy to help people deal with stress, trauma and hidden emotions. An art therapist spoke at the opening of the exhibit, explaining that art can also be an excellent means of restoration for prisoners. Ossie Emery, a free-lance producer, director and photographer, also spoke at the opening, saying he was impressed by the high standard of art displayed. “All of the artists need to be congratulated on their artwork and interpretation of the theme,” he commented. 

Visitors to the exhibition were equally impressed, calling it “very powerful” and “inspirational,” demonstrating that as artists, these prisoners were able to convey a message of healing to the outside world and to themselves that perhaps no other medium could.