London – “Sarah Lucas: Art By Offenders, Secure Patients And Detainees” at Southbank Centre London, through November 25th, 2012

November 19th, 2012

Art by Offenders, “Wasted!,” HMP Channings Wood,  James Wood Silver Award for Oil or Acrylics, all images courtesy of the Koestler Trust

The selection made by British artist Sarah Lucas for Southbank Centre’s annual “Art by Offenders, Secure Patients, and Detainees” exhibition challenges stereotypes and gives a voice to the imprisoned. This display of visual art, film, music, and writing by prisoners, which opened September 20th and will run through November 25th, is presented in a partnership with the Kosteler Trust (the UK’s best-known prison arts charity) and Southbank Centre.

Art By Offenders, “Fun to Do,” HMP Blantyre House, Htein Lin & Vicky Bowman Highly Commended Award for Oil or Acrylic


Art By Offenders, “Fun to Do,” HMP Blantyre House, Htein Lin & Vicky Bowman Highly Commended Award for Oil or Acrylic

Sarah Lucas has chosen from thousands of submissions from the UK’s criminal justice system, and, this year, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Koestler Trust, the exhibition tours will be led by ex-offenders over the age of 50, helping to ingratiate and to advocate acceptance of former prisoners back into a culture and society where they will have a venue for self-expression. The initiative also serves to challenge the assumption that internships are only for young people.

Various talks are being given in connection with the exhibition, the dates of which can be found on the Southbank Centre website. This free exhibition is open daily through November 25th, 2012.


Art By Offenders, “Queen of the Night,” HMP Wakefield


Art By Offenders, “Spring Colours,” HMP Full Sutton, Pierce Brunt Highly Commended Award for Watercolour

-E.Baker

Related Links:

Exhibition Page [Southbank Centre]
[Koestler Trust]