The Department for Correctional Services (DCS) has announced that the talent and artwork of the State’s prisoners is on show as part of the 2021 Artists on the Inside exhibition.
The Department said this year’s Exhibition, which opened last Wednesday (4 August) in partnership with the University of South Australia’s (UniSA) Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, was part of the 2021 South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.
The DCS said the Exhibition featured the largest collection of artworks from the prison system, with over 80 entries on display featuring a diverse range of artwork including acrylic on canvas; pencil sketches; soap sculptures; crochet; applique; and written works.
It said State prisoners were given the opportunity to create artworks and submit them to be awarded by professional artists and curators.
It said members of the public were invited to engage with the artists behind the Exhibition by voting for the People’s Choice Award.
It said Exhibition prisoners would not be identified and all artworks had been reviewed and approved for public display by the DCS Victim Services Unit.
Minister for Correctional Services, Vincent Tarzia said the Exhibition gave the public an insight into the lives of prisoners and the issues many faced each day.
“Participating in art programs while in prison fosters creativity, social connection and, in some cases, a possible employment option when inmates have served their sentence,” Mr Tarzia said.
Chief Executive of the DCS, David Brown said prisoners who produced art discovered it was a therapeutic way to build resilience in a difficult environment.
The Exhibition will be on display at UniSA’s Kerry Packer Civic Gallery until Friday 27 August and further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
