Insight & Outlook

Insight & Outlook the Koestler exhibition for Scotland was held this year at Tramway, Glasgow. It was an exhibition of artwork and writing from prisons, secure hospitals, secure children’s homes and criminal justice services in Scotland. This year the exhibition was curated by young care leavers with guidance from Glasgow artist David Shrigley. The project was sponsored by The Co-operative.

I was invited to the opening of the exhibition on the 2^nd November 2012. This was as a result of the blog “FREE” which I wrote about the London exhibition. A client, who was exhibiting, also put in a good word for me. I would like to thank the Koestler Trust for the invitation.

Below is a selection of the artwork and writings.

Look closely at the words written on the face. What do you see?

If? James Cullinane, HMP Shotts. ” A piece of music can immediately take you back to a different time, place era, or even the company you were with. They can take away your freedom but not your memories.”

Eco Bike, William Baird, HMP Kilmarnock. “Art is like therapy to me and I will carry on when I get out.”

Le Chein, Anon, HMP Perth

Art Gallery and Museum, Anon, HMP Peterhead

Case Conference, Keith Fraser, HMP Shotts. “Art gives me a coping strategy, it allows me to express myself, it passes the time, it makes other people happy. it is one big positive I’ve taken from the negative that is being sent to prison.”

Picasso, Anon, HMP Dumfries. “Art passes the time and keeps me out of trouble. It get me thinking positively and inspires me to do better in life and to believe I can do better. I prefer to talk with my pencil than with words.”