Emerging from the Westminster tube station, the blue sky is a welcome sight. Trees shedding their leaves by the chilly winter winds. Wrapped up against the elements I hastily head along Victoria Embankment and climb the steps to cross the Thames toward my chosen destination – The Southbank Centre and Koestler Arts exhibition. A celebration of Art, Music and Writing.

The ‘I and the We’, curated by Camille Walala and Sarah Ihler Meyer.

With the strapline: ‘Unlocking the talent inside the criminal justice system’

It’s a strapline I have often read, but how many truly believe it is possible?

Unlocking: who is unlocking and who is being unlocked?

Unlocked, unlock, unlocking…its endless, often words chosen by cjs charities and organisations.

But to unlock you need a key.

A key can be a person or an opportunity. Here it is both.

We write off so many due to their circumstances, but a bit of creative encouragement can achieve much.

I try not to over-analyse each exhibit, but it is tempting, with titles such as ‘Too Late‘ and ‘Perspective‘ it is a little hard not to be intrigued.

Talent: is there really talent within the criminal justice system?

This question is easy for me to answer, a resounding yes.

Others may think differently, usually from a position of ignorance in my view. The average person still knows so little about what is happening behind prison walls.

Art is a form of expressing what is happening within or without. In a nutshell a way of communicating to others in an illustrative way.

Art is not judgmental like right or wrong, nor is it binary like black or white.

I was attracted to a striking entry from HMP Garth called ‘God’s Words’. A simple graphic featuring biblical words applied using rudimentary materials; a marker pen and cardboard. Definitely makes you think.

Slowly moving through the room, many exhibits caught my eye, some making me feel rather sad and others bringing a smile to my face and even a laugh. But that is the beauty of Art.

Bold statements

“Some Women fear the fire, others simply Become It” such poignant yet powerful words. I wonder what the story is behind it. All I know is someone called Jacqueline painted this acrylic on board from HMP Eastwood Park. No other words are really needed.

Wise words

As I considered the work called ‘If We All Stand Together We Can Do Anything’ there is a sense of togetherness within this exhibition, maybe we can all learn from this simple sculpture. Thank you Michael.

Poetry

Walls

beyond these grilles

behind this door

and walls within my view

I’ve fought my demons

and done my time

ready to start anew.

I’ve used these bricks

to build new walls

and found something true

I’ll rise to freedom

And find my voice

Well beyond this view.

I sat on a bench in silent contemplation of these four verses, unmissable alongside other poems on the wall ahead of me.

It was well worth taking the time to read every carefully chosen word.

Here is talent. It has been unlocked.

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‘The I and the We’ 2021 UK exhibition at Southbank Centre
Curated by Camille Walala and Sarah Ihler-Meyer
29 October – 5 December 2021. Mon – Wed 10am – 6pm, Thu – Sun 10am – 9pm*
Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall, London

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