WATCH: Exhibition showcasing prisoners' artwork

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Artwork created by Les Nicolles prisoners as a form of "expression and escapism" is being exhibited in a bid to start a conversation around incarceration and what it aims to achieve.

"Double Window" is an exhibition of artworks produced by Les Nicolles Prison inmates in collaboration with CLiP (Creative Learning in Prison), which is on display at Guille Alles Library until 1 February.

Some pieces are bright and hopeful, evoking memories of better times; others convey desperation and despair about the "restricted environment" they are in. 

Art For Guernsey Founder David Ummels said the purpose of the project was to create a non-judgmental platform from which to create "intelligent dialogue surrounding incarceration and what it aims to achieve."

View from Castle Cornet: "I used to spend most of my time down here in the 70s and 80s – this is Castle Cornet and it’s overlooking Havelet Bay and the bathing pools. It used to always be a good site, they’d have a schooner moored in Havelet Bay. The frame was my idea, it has some sort of texture. I find art a bit of an escapism, and it brings back good memories of places where I used to be out and about in Guernsey."

"Double Window is a project that started in spring 2019, so called because it was intended to provide prisoners with the opportunity to communicate with the outside world, and to allow those of us on the outside to gain an insight into what life is like for prison inmates," he explained. 

"Art for Guernsey has a strong remit to bring art where it is most needed, and that motivated us to align our efforts with CLiP to build a project that inspires prisoners to better integrate into the community and acquire new skills, thus reducing the likelihood of their reoffending.

"As the prisoners opened up to us about their artworks and the impact that spending time on creative pursuits has had on them, we were astounded by the role that art has in promoting their wellbeing, personal development and self-esteem."

Prison Life 1 and 2: "The first piece is a person in desperation, while the second is inspired by Munch’s The Scream and is my first attempt at a 3D work. Prison life is like a river under the ice: turbulent, yet hidden from sight by the cold indifference of others. Where the soul is torn by a Roman Catholic faith denied by the State, does anyone care? 

"Where the spirit is ripped asunder, body and mind will surely follow, and optimism is an abstract that belongs to the innocence of youth. I suffer from PTSD from when I was a prisoner of war, so being in here does bring back memories I prefer not to have. Art is an expression, a release, so therefore you can use it as an escape."

Mr Ummels added: "We were also impressed by the art teachers who go into the prison: week after week they inspire, guide and encourage – they really are doing a fantastic job. Last but not least, we were humbled by the artists themselves, who in many cases achieved a phenomenally high standard of art, and whose candour gave us an insight into their experiences, thoughts and hopes for the future."

22 inmates took part in the project, with some of those explaining what their work represented.

Most of the pieces are for sale for £250, with proceeds going towards the CLIP programme.  

Pictured top: Part of the exhibition at Guille Alles Library. Inset, two of the pieces of artwork.