Curated by young people working with Sheffield Youth Justice Service
20 May – 20 June 2021
Millennium Gallery, Sheffield
My Path: Art by People in the Criminal Justice System was the first Koestler Arts exhibition in Yorkshire, held at The Millennium Gallery; one of Sheffield’s flagship cultural venues. Each of the 61 artworks on display was made by someone in prison, a secure hospital, a young offender institution or on probation. The exhibition included captions with some of the stories behind the artwork as well as insights from the curators – all young people working with Sheffield Youth Justice Service (SYJS).
The pieces were chosen from over 300 artworks entered into the 2020 Koestler Awards from Yorkshire. Many of the artworks, therefore, were created during the height of the pandemic in establishments that had 23-hour lockups in place.
Sheffield-based artist Sarah Jane Palmer led the group of young people and staff from SYJS through a series of socially distanced curation workshops. The group brought unique insights and imagination to the artwork selection. Themes included time, journeys and the future of the planet.
Watch
Hear from the curators about what artwork they selected and why in our exhibition film
Watch hereListen
A selection of audio tracks from the exhibition. The poetry recordings are performed by actors from Synergy Theatre Project with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
This playlist contains adult themes and language – parental discretion is advised for younger audiences.
Listen hereOnline Gallery
TV Gold
Television today just aint what it wasFive hundred channels of absolute dross
When I was a lad we only had three
But at least they made programmes we wanted to see
Blue Peter with Singleton, Pervis and Noakes
Crackerjack with Glaze and Crowther’s terrible jokes
Noggin the Nogg and his foe Noggbad the bad
And then there was Bagpuss, who looked rather sad
We didn’t have brain buzzing mad C.G.I
Or flashing and strobing that’s hard on the eye
Loud thumping music if that’s what it is
Just great entertainment, good old show biz
The Home Guard in chaos and one ‚Äòstupid boy’
Captain Pugwash from the Black Pig, shouting “Ahoy!”
William Hartnell was the ‚ÄòDoctor’ careering through space
Billy Bunter was constantly stuffing his face
Weekends on TV were good family fun
The films shown back then were second to none
The Dambusters, Genevieve, Goodbye Mr Chips
Or Bob Hope and Bing Crosby on endless road trips
Laurel and Hardy in yet another fine mess
Hayworth or Monroe in that famous dress
Cagney and Edward G. would get in a jam
While Rhet Butler told Scarlet “I don’t give a dam”
Will Hay tried to make sure that the trains were not late
While a Giant Gorilla climbed the Empire State
Captain Nemo found monsters down in the depths
While Richard Hanney desperately sought the 39 steps
A toothy George Formby cheered up the rain
When stating to all “Turned out nice again”
And then there was Norman, in tight jacket and cap
And poor Mr Grimsdale friend to the misfortunate chap
Grandstand on Saturdays loaded with sports
Racing and wrestling and people in shorts
Can’t say that I liked it so it was good I can say
That all the weeks sport was kept to one day
We had continuity announcers, but those days are gone
Who sat behind desks and told us what’s on
Even the adverts were quality then
I could sit and watch them again and again
From Bisto to Flash and that Railbrooke shirt
There was OMO and Daz to get rid of the dirt
The PG tips chimps all sharing a brew
To the man in the bowler singing about S.O Blue
Who can forget Hovis and that lad on his bike
Pushing it up hill was one hell of a hike
Going back down his feet peddle free
And his reward on returning, real butter for tea
I guess by your faces, you haven’t a clue
As you listen to this, you’ll be glad when I’m through
If this is the case you’re too young to recall
When tv was gold, and watched by us all
HM Prison Humber
Commended Award for Poem
2020
TV Gold
TV Gold
HM Prison Humber
Commended Award for Poem
2020
Time Past
Today is the dayYesterday has gone
Tomorrow is the future
As yet we have none
When the future arrives
It will be the past
Because time moves so fast
There is no “this second”
As the next awaits
By the time the second arrives
It is too late
It is the past
But will it ever be the last
We will not know
Until the future
Becomes our past
HM Prison Full Sutton
Commended Award for Poem
2020
Time Past
Time Past
HM Prison Full Sutton
Commended Award for Poem
2020
The Pain of Thought
As I lay here,Face down on my prison bed,
I’m thinking:
Thinking thoughts about my life,
Thoughts that cannot be said.
As I lay here,
Staring at four plain walls,
I’m thinking:
Thinking thoughts about freedom,
Thoughts that concern us all.
As I lay here,
Dreaming of the world outside,
I’m thinking:
Thinking thoughts of my past,
Thoughts I wish I could hide.
As I lay here
It’s the jokers turn to deal,
I’m thinking:
Thinking thoughts of the future,
Thoughts that don’t seem real.
With the pain of my thoughts,
Some cause me to cry.
I’ve tried to stop this thinking,
But if I cease to think,
I cannot be me.
Why?
HM Prison Full Sutton
Poem
2020
The Pain of Thought
The Pain of Thought
HM Prison Full Sutton
Poem
2020
Thank You NHS
It’s darkest when it rains and when it rains it pours,When our hearts are full of pain and our eyes bore,
The tears we shed are real and sorrow is all we feel,
We don’t know how to deal as death seems so surreal.
When our people pass away, our lives are completely shattered,
When we lose our loved ones, nothing else seems to matter.
We know they’re in Heaven looking down from above,
In the arms of God where they’re always loved.
They know they’ll never be forgotten as we’ll meet again,
This poem is dedicated to the wonderful staff at NHS,
They too have shed many tears this last year but,
It’s a great comfort to have you all so near,
Believe it or not, but you’re forever needed,
Especially as our lives feel so depleted.
It’s wonderful to know for my loved ones you’re there,
To keep them safe and to let them know we care,
So here’s to the NHS staff, to those
Who have watched over our loved ones to the end.
Please continue to stand so firm and strong,
We’re all hoping it won’t be for too long.
This darkness will eventually be filled with light,
Oh won’t that be a joyous sight.
So once more thank you to the staff of NHS,
One day this world will be filled with HAPPINESS.
HM Prison Humber
Poem
2020
Thank You NHS
Thank You NHS
HM Prison Humber
Poem
2020
Down the Lane
This morning is so dark and grey,The sun is hiding far away,
The ground is wet from the rain last night,
And the leafless tree is an eerie sight,
The sound of a crow just down the lane
On the fence it will remain,
Until the traffic from the village beyond,
Comes down the road past the old mill pond,
Then to the skies the crow will take,
And land in the tree for its own sake,
In the tree the crow now rests,
Looks around for a place to nest,
Now begins the mammoth task,
Building a nest that will last.
HM Prison Hull
Jessie Ireland Memorial Commended Award for Poem
2020
Down the Lane
Down the Lane
HM Prison Hull
Jessie Ireland Memorial Commended Award for Poem
2020
Delinquent’s Apprenticeship
I suppose it all started,While I was still at school.
A disruptive they called me.
A rebel and a fool.
I was always in trouble.
I didn’t mean to be bad,
But to impress my mates,
I’d play the Jack the Lad.
I hated all the teachers,
So I hardly went there.
Truancy was my game.
No one seemed to care.
But they only took so much,
And kicked me out in the end.
They said they didn’t want me,
Because I refused to attend.
So there I was,
Doing nothing all day,
I couldn’t get a job,
So I got money my way.
I found myself a mate.
We pinched a fellow’s car.
Sold what we could,
Thought that we’d go far.
In the end we got greedy,
Started to steal every night.
Never thought we’d get caught,
Always thought we’d be alright.
Of course we were arrested,
Taken down the local nick.
The sergeant had a go at us.
He said we made him sick.
The magistrates they said,
“We’ll put you in your place,
You should be ashamed”,
Said we were a disgrace.
In the end I got three months,
My older mate got just a fine.
So here I was in detention centre,
Having my first taste of time.
For six weeks they kept me,
I hated the stinking place.
They told me I was nothing.
A non runner in the human race.
Soon I was back home,
With my mates on the street.
To them I was a hero,
They thought I was neat.
When all the fuss died down,
I tried to get a job.
If only to prove to myself
That I wasn’t a common yob.
So then I was working,
And everything was going well.
I don’t know what happened next,
I just tripped up and fell.
Now here I am again,
Up before the court.
They said that D.C. was no good,
The sentence was too short.
They sent me off to Borstal,
Said, “It will be good for you”.
For the second time I was inside,
Doing a six to two.
It wasn’t all that bad,
Once I’d settled down.
I made a lot of mates,
As I played the role of clown.
I took a course in welding,
So I would have a trade.
I passed my city in guilds,
I thought I’d got it made.
After thirteen months,
They finally let me out.
It made me feel so bloody good,
All I wanted was to shout.
When I got back home,
At the station was my best mate.
Together we got ourselves drunk,
I’ve never felt so great.
To all who read this,
It’s not my stories end.
People I thought as brothers,
Weren’t even my friends.
Many years have since passed,
I’ve lost my kids, home, job and wife.
Now that I’ve finished my apprenticeship,
As these days I’m serving life.
HM Prison Full Sutton
Poem
2020
Delinquent’s Apprenticeship
Delinquent’s Apprenticeship
HM Prison Full Sutton
Poem
2020
Zephyr the Zebra
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution New Hall
Needlecraft
2020
Window of Reflection
HM Prison Full Sutton
Themed Category: Window
2020
What We Do
HM Prison Full Sutton
Mixed Media
2020
Wash Day
HM Prison Wakefield
Silver Award for Painting
2020
Sunset
HM Prison Wakefield
Painting
2020
Tiger
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution New Hall
Arts Society Huddersfield Highly Commended Award for Pastel
2020
Thoughts on Covid-19
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Askham Grange
Bronze Award for Mural and Wall Hanging
2020
This Is How It Feels
Clifton House (secure hospital)
Silver Award for Painting
2020
They’re Grrr-eatly Endangered
HM Prison Hull
Painting
2020
The Groom’s Happy Dance
HM Prison Hull
Highly Commended Award for Painting
2020
The Eyes Are the Window to The Soul
The Humber Centre for Forensic Psychiatry
Themed Category: Window
2020
The Best
HM Prison Full Sutton
Portrait
2020
Teddy Love
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution New Hall
Mixed Media
2020
Stress of Life
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Moorland
Highly Commended Award for Digital Art
2020
Still Messed Up
HM Prison Full Sutton
Highly Commended Award for Portrait
2020
Room With A View
HM Prison Full Sutton
Themed Category: Window
2020
Red Kite
HM Prison Hull
Commended Award for Drawing
2020
Protect It Now
HM Prison Humber
Bronze Award for Painting
2020
Prison Protein
HM Prison Full Sutton
Mixed Media
2020
Pilot’s View
HM Prison Humber
Commended Award for Painting
2020
Operation B.U.M
HM Prison Wakefield
Commended Award for Graphic Novel
2020
My Path
HM Prison Wealstun
First-Time Entrant Award for Drawing
2020
My Own Personal Vista
HM Prison Wakefield
Painting
2020
Murmuration
HM Prison Wealstun
First-Time Entrant Award for Watercolour and Gouache
2020
Lost at Sea
HM Prison Hull
Painting
2020
Inside Out
Beverley Probation Service
Themed Category: Window
2020
Kite Flying Behind the Dunes
HM Prison Wakefield
Highly Commended Award for Watercolour and Gouache
2020
Keeping It Cool
HM Prison Full Sutton
Commended Award for Themed Category: Window
2020
It Is Finished
HM Prison Wakefield
Painting
2020
It Could Be You
HM Prison Full Sutton
Commended Award for Sculpture
2020
Help
HM Prison Full Sutton
Change Through Art Highly Commended Award for Painting
2020
Horse
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution New Hall
Commended Award for Drawing
2020
Gone Fishing
HM Prison Humber
Bronze Award for Mixed Media
2020
Gold Rush Train
HM Prison Wakefield
Bronze Award for Matchstick Model
2020
Give Nature a Hand
HM Prison Wakefield
Katharine Cheney Silver Award for Matchstick Model
2020
Genesis
HM Prison Wakefield
Commended Award for Painting
2020
Frenchy
HM Prison Leeds
Commended Award for Drawing
2020
Fading Dreams
HM Prison Hull
Mixed Media
2020
Face The Future
HM Prison Full Sutton
Highly Commended Award for Portrait
2020
Dominant Tree
HM Prison Full Sutton
Mixed Media
2020
Cut Off
HM Prison Full Sutton
Portrait
2020
Crucifix Crime Scene
HM Prison Full Sutton
First-Time Entrant Award for Drawing
2020
Chimp
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Moorland
Highly Commended Award for Drawing
2020
Cheetah
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Doncaster
Under 25s Special Award for Craft
2020
Blind Leading the Blind
HM Prison Humber
Drawing
2020
Birds
HM Prison Wakefield
Highly Commended Award for Painting
2020
Australian Rancher
HM Prison Humber
Portrait
2020
Adidas Love Pours
HM Prison Lindholme
Commended Award for Drawing
2020
A World Away
HM Prison Wealstun
First-Time Entrant Award for Drawing
2020
A Good Days Fishing (Bird of Prey Osprey)
HM Prison Hull
Arts Society Hull and East Riding Highly Commended Award for Sculpture
2020
