The Department of Justice has declared that Indigenous artworks by prisoners at Roebourne Regional Prison on exhibit in Cossack are proving very popular with visitors and art lovers in Pilbara.
According to the Department the artworks have been delivered as a partnership between itself and Cossack tourism operator Garlbagu, business arm of the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation.
It said its art program at Roebourne helps connect prisoners to Culture and Country, while providing certified training and access to potential employment after release.
“It is with much pride, through our strong community partnerships and shared vision for rehabilitation, that we are able to showcase our artists’ work to the broader community through this exhibition,” Acting Superintendent Tania Woolgrove said.
“This provides a perfect opportunity for the exhibits to be displayed on Country, which is at the heart of the artistic expression,” Superintendent Woolgrove said.
Prison Education Tutor, Kim Riordan said the project was an opportunity for prisoners to have the experience of being an exhibiting artist.
“They are involved with the whole process from buying the canvas and creating the art to preparing it for gallery hanging,” Ms Riordan said.
“There is a lot of teamwork and personal development with creative, written and oral work involved.”
She said that one of the prisoners whose art was displayed said he would continue to paint after release and would encourage others to take part in the program.
“It brings light to the prison surroundings and makes me feel free,” the prisoner said.
“I find something I like and then make a story to go with it.”
The exhibition came during National Reconciliation Week and was one of several displays of prisoners’ art at the Cossack gallery since it opened in 2020.
Garlbagu Tourism and Events Manager, Emily Zimmerle said the partnership had gone well beyond her organisation’s expectations.
“Our purpose is to make the lives of the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people and the wider Aboriginal community better,” Ms Zimmerle said.
We feel through this partnership with the Department of Justice that we are doing that because it’s giving those artists a chance to express themselves, a source of income, and also an opportunity for work once they are released.”
