Co-curated by Jeremy Deller & John Costi
1 November – 15 December 2024
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
Koestler Arts’ 17th annual exhibition of artwork from the criminal justice system is back at Southbank Centre this autumn, featuring over 200 artworks entered into the 2024 Koestler Awards, from prisons, secure hospitals, secure children’s homes and immigration removal centres, as well as those on probation, community sentences and youth offending teams.
This year, we invited Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller and former prisoner-turned-artist John Costi to co-curate the exhibition. Both artists have a long-standing relationship with Koestler Arts: Deller has supported the charity as an Awards judge for over 15 years, giving prizes to, and writing feedback for, artworks entered into the programme; while Costi started as an award-winning entrant before becoming a mentee, scholar, member of staff, Awards judge and now curator.
Both Deller and Costi’s involvement with Koestler Arts and work in the criminal justice sector is reflected in the design of the exhibition. Visitors will experience artworks that focus on the realities of life in prison- some artworks touch upon the idea of experiencing a lack of voice and finding a way to overcome this in a challenging environment, mirroring the title of the exhibition, No Comment. Further into the space, a smaller section of artworks celebrates finding art and the role art classes and education can play, which Deller has contributed to over the years by giving workshops and talks in secure settings. Here, visitors can also read about Costi’s own experience of engaging in art programmes while in prison, and the impact this had on him. Finally, the largest section of the space is given to artworks that reflect the freedom of expression that comes with engaging with the arts, and celebrate the boundlessness of the imagination. Therefore, as you move through the exhibition you follow a representative journey: from feeling restricted and voiceless to finding a sense of freedom beyond the environment through creativity; a journey Deller has seen and one that Costi has lived.
Deller and Costi also introduced a collaborative aspect to the exhibition, by inviting six guests to choose a selection of artworks to be on display among their own selections: Abbas Zahedi, Aindrea Emelife, Larry Achiampong, Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE, Jonny Banger and Zakia Sewell. As creatives with different roles in the art world, the guests brought in different viewpoints and choices of artworks to the exhibition. To celebrate their curatorial approach and their guests’ involvement, Deller and Costi asked Koestler Awards entrants to create portraits of each curator and guest involved. A selection of these portraits are on display in the entrance of the space.
Opening Times & Closures:
Please check for updates on opening times and closures when planning your visit.
Mon: 10am – 5.30pm
Tue – Wed: 10am – 8pm
Thur: 10am – 5pm (with late opening on 12 Dec until 8pm)
Fri – Sun: 10am – 8pm
Please note, the exhibition will be closed on Monday 18th November.
Exhibition Tours:
Free exhibition tours by Koestler tour guides, some of whom have personal experience of the criminal justice system, will be available for the public at set times (listed below) in the main exhibition space.
Weds: 2pm & 6pm *except Wednesday 13 November*
Fri: 6pm
Sat & Sun: 3pm & 4pm
Free. No booking required.
Please contact sarah@koestlerarts.org.uk to book additional tours outside of these times or if you plan to bring a large group.
Watch
Find out more about our co-curators, Jeremy Deller and John Costi, and their longstanding relationships with the charity in our exhibition film.
The film is also available to view in the exhibition space!
Watch hereListen
Listen to the music and spoken word featured in this year’s exhibition, played through headphones in the exhibition space.
Age recommendation: 18+ (May contain language some people might find upsetting)
Listen hereArtwork for sale
Some artists with work on display in the exhibition have chosen to sell their work, which is available to purchase from our online shop.
There is also a selection of smaller artworks, merchandise and books for sale at the pop-up shop in the exhibition space.
Buy artwork!‘No Comment’ in the Press
Explore some of the press coverage of our 2024 Southbank Centre exhibition on the links below
The Face Magazine: The exhibition showcasing prisoner-made art
Channel 4 News: Prison artist John Costi – from armed robbery to London gallery
BBC Radio 6 Music: Nick Grimshaw sits in…with Jeremy Deller and Zakia Sewell
Gallery
View all the pieces featured in the exhibition
Dragon’s Head
HM Prison Erlestoke, Highly Commended Award for Ceramics, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
If Only!
HM Prison Wealstun, The Frederick and Freda Davies Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
Undersea World
HM Prison Dovegate, Daisy Jellicoe Outstanding Debut Award for Perseverance in Ceramics, 2024
Prison is Despair
HM Prison Downview, Edmund Paton Walsh European Unity Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024
The Lady Behind Bars
HM Prison Peterborough, Berwick Silver Award for Drawing, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
The Prison Tube
HM Prison Peterborough, Sodexo Justice Services Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Everything’s Peachy
HM Young Offender Centre Hydebank Wood, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
Coat of Cards
HM Prison Brixton, Artists’ Collecting Society Platinum Award for Fashion, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
From Now On… Never Again
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Susan’s Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
Bust
HM Young Offender Centre Hydebank Wood, Christine Wong JP’s One to Watch Gold Award for Craft, 2024
Women with Japanese Vase
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Forensic CMHT, Bella the Labrador Bronze Award for Portrait, 2024
Finches
HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster), Amber Jackson Silver Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
Broken UK
HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster), Mixed Media, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
Jenga Jungle
HM Prison Ashfield, Charlton Bronze Award for Woodcraft, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
Preditor!!
HM Prison Dovegate, Grayson Perry Outstanding Debut Award for Ceramics, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
First Date
The Spinney (secure mental health unit), Elysium Healthcare Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Arisaig
HM Prison Edinburgh, Julia Rogerson Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
My Time in Bath
Kemble House (secure mental health unit), Painting, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
HMP (Horror Movie Parody)
HM Prison Wayland, Jill Edge Silver Award for Drawing, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Portrait
HM Prison Barlinnie, Maggi Hambling Bronze Award for Portrait, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
Sisterhood Rising
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Low Newton, Spring Platinum Award for Calligraphy, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
I Wish We Could Fly
HM Young Offender Institution Polmont, Highly Commended Award for Mixed Media, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
I’ll Watch What I Say From Now On
HM Prison Swaleside (Sheppey Cluster), Evelyn Plesch Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
From Now On: Echoes in Time
HM Prison Barlinnie, Bronze Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
Firefly Cave
Caswell Clinic (secure mental health unit), Dennis Evans Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
The Sunny Seas
HM Young Offender Institution Polmont, Drawing, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
Frida
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Chelmsford, Reg Gadney Commended Award for Portrait, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
New Kid on an Old Block
HM Prison North Sea Camp, Avis Allum Bronze Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
Tree of Life
John Howard Centre (secure mental health unit), The Arts Society Greater London Area Platinum Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
One Day on the Bee’s Horizon
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Mixed Media, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
Small Sunset
Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, Painting, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
The Ugly Sisters
HM Prison Bronzefield, Jennifer Oklikah Silver Award for Portrait, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Exotic Life At the Inn
HM Prison Lewes, The Arts Society City of Chichester Commended Award for Drawing, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
The World In His Hand
HM Prison Oakwood, Jeremiah Peters Platinum Award for Sculpture, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Helmet
HM Prison Pentonville, Margaret Lipsey Recycled Materials Outstanding Debut Award for Sculpture, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Poster Design
HM Young Offender Institution Brinsford, Ad Astra Outstanding Debut Award for Calligraphy 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
Please Mind Your Head
HM Prison Northumberland, Charlotte and Robert Gurney Bronze Award for Calligraphy, 2024
Just Grazing
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Carmina Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
Tessellated Fish or Fish in Net
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Victor Roberts Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
Portrait
HM Prison Bullingdon, G&J Charitable Trust Commended Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Portrait, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Prison Journal
HM Prison Lancaster Farms, Platinum Award for Drawing, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Thalassa
HM Prison Dovegate, Serco Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
Tricorn of Cards
HM Prison Brixton, Doorway Highly Commended Award for Craft, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Kim
HM Prison Shotts, Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway University of London Platinum Award for Portrait, 2024
Desperation
HM Prison Peterborough, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Mind the Gap
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Grampian, Emdee Highly Commended Award for Woodcraft, 2024
Semi Skimmed Spilt Milk
HM Prison High Down, Caro Millington Silver Award for Craft, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Art Class
HM Prison Eastwood Park, Change Through Art Outstanding Debut Award for Needlecraft, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Play Me My Tune
HM Prison Downview, Patrick Holmes Platinum Award for Mixed Media, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Unnecessary Necessity, Death of a River
HM Prison Onley, Erwin James Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
My Furniture Factory
Arnold Lodge (secure mental health unit), Drawing, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
The Divide
Norfolk Probation Service, Prometheus Bronze Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
No More Shame!
HM Prison High Down, The Arts Society Greater London Area Gold Award for Needlecraft, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
The Trans Life
HM Prison Stafford, Highly Commended Award for Portrait, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
Code Blue
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc, Translation, Transmutations, Transpositions Highly Commended Award for Ceramics, 2024
Rodney the Red Kneed Tarantula
HM Prison Stafford, Carolyn Taylor & Julia Krish Outstanding Debut Award for Sculpture, 2024
Shogun Castle
HM Prison Dovegate, Where There’s a Will There’s a Way Commended Award for Ceramics, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
20 Years – Journey Through My Cell
HM Prison Dovegate, Stockwell Gold Award for Ceramics, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
From Now On Is This How You See Me
HM Prison Downview, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
Selected by Jonny Banger
Bourne and Bread in Brum!
HM Prison Long Lartin, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Shrine to My Heart
Austen House (secure children’s home), Hope Under 25s Special Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Buddha Christ
River House (secure mental health unit), Freeman Bronze Award for Ceramics, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Rosary
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Chelmsford, Michael Fox Birthday Outstanding Debut Award for Craft, 2024
Poppy Field
Langdon Hospital, In Memory of Ann Boot Commended Award for Needlecraft, 2024
Selected by Zakia Sewell
Aubergine
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Hare
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Inspiring Start Under 25s Special Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Tag
Vinney Green (secure children’s home), James Wood KC Under 25s Special Award and 18 and Under Special Award for Painting, 2024
Woman on Red Background
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Great British Seaside
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Askham Grange, Mark Long Commended Award for Mixed Media, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Swing Within a Face
HM Prison Fosse Way, New Beginnings Bronze Award for Matchstick Model, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
The Eyes of a Carer
HM Prison Full Sutton, Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024
Selected by Aindrea Emelife
Home Sick
HM Prison Fosse Way, Good-Sothinathan Commended Award for Portrait, 2024
Selected by Larry Achiampong
From Now On!
HM Prison Dovegate, Keep Going With Art Silver Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024
Apple
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Alison & Henry Grunwald OBE KC Under 25s Special Award for Painting, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Woman on Yellow Background
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, 18 and Under Commended Award for Painting, 2024
Being Black in a White Society
Have you ever been black in white society?I remember being young and the whites were eying me
Never joined me a gang but they tried to hire me
I remember being broke like my boss just fired me
I was tryna get a job but them things weren’t working
I wanted me a bag not a female Birkin
But the stereotypes for the blacks were certain
That he’s gonna go to jail or gonna die from lurking
I didn’t know much bout my family inheritance
But I know I did take on intelligence
Didn’t listen in school when they spoke about the renaissance
Now I’m sitting in jail, pasta n some tuna chunks
Being black is hard but it gets harder
Couple centuries ago, that was someone’s father
Got sold to a guy probably named Arthur
Man, the blacks got sold the drink lager
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Anne Peaker Outstanding Debut Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Being Black in a White Society
Being Black in a White Society
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Anne Peaker Outstanding Debut Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
The Day of the Parole Hearing
Last weekhe made me a bookmark
from bits of wool
and vape caps
today
he prowls
silent
seething
some teasing on the landing
usual stuff
a shout from nowhere
STOP TURNING MY FUCKING LIGHT ON
HM Prison Littlehey, Tony Parker Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
The Day of the Parole Hearing
The Day of the Parole Hearing
HM Prison Littlehey, Tony Parker Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Hospital Exodus
The car door yawned openMy seatbelt released, clattering.
Daring to step outside,
The bitter air sliced through me.
Fear drowned me.
The building was intimidating.
As brave as I was, this exodus into light
Left me silenced.
From the poetry collection The Moments in Between, Arbury Court (secure mental health unit), Poetry Collection, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Hospital Exodus
Hospital Exodus
From the poetry collection The Moments in Between, Arbury Court (secure mental health unit), Poetry Collection, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
My Day
I have painted my cellI had lunch
I had no rest
Still going
And I’m tired
HM Young Offender Institution Feltham, Nicola & Maha Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
My Day
My Day
HM Young Offender Institution Feltham, Nicola & Maha Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Grey Day
Look at meDeserted
Abandoned
Forgotten
Once full of happy and sad memories
Slowly over time
I’m left to the weather
My slates have been taken
Some have just decayed
My windows are smashed and broken
Dampness is all around
Eventually all I will become
Is old, weathered bricks
Just left in ruins
A shadow of myself
HM Prison Full Sutton, Be Kind to Yourself Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Grey Day
Grey Day
HM Prison Full Sutton, Be Kind to Yourself Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Happiness
Bubble and popLick the lollipop
See the rainbow
Tick tac toe
Light so bright
Time to take flight
Watch the cloud
Big and loud
Mill View Hospital, Jessie Ireland Memorial Commended Award for Poem, 2024
Happiness
Happiness
Mill View Hospital, Jessie Ireland Memorial Commended Award for Poem, 2024
A Recipe for Mental Illness
Today I was asked to write a recipe,But less about food and more about me.
So, what do I put in an emotion meal?
How do I describe, exactly how I feel?
Firstly we need a cup of apathy or two,
Followed by eggs of self-doubt and a pinch of misery too.
Deep seated anxiety and constant regret,
Mix it all up and leave it to set.
The final ingredient won’t taste sweet on the lips,
Let’s throw in a bag of trauma chips.
Preheat your oven to whatever degrees,
Have an existential crisis and fall to your knees.
Because why explain what they won’t understand,
I doubt they ever will, until they feel it first-hand.
HM Prison Fosse Way, Judith Tannenbaum Outstanding Debut Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
A Recipe for Mental Illness
A Recipe for Mental Illness
HM Prison Fosse Way, Judith Tannenbaum Outstanding Debut Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
A Guy I Knew at Uni Is on the Radio
He’s translated The House of the Dead —and a guy I was mates with at school
is an expert on Antiques Roadshow
and a third guy I knew is a Tory MP —
and yes of course they were all pricks
even back then
but that’s not the point exactly is it?
There isn’t really any point —
except maybe that last week
my colonoscopy result
was reported as reassuringly normal.
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Richard F. Taylor Platinum Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
A Guy I Knew at Uni Is on the Radio
A Guy I Knew at Uni Is on the Radio
HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Richard F. Taylor Platinum Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
The Process in Acronym
I submitted a PCF2 [Prisoner Complaint Form]
As I queried progression dates TBC? [To Be Confirmed]
Progression is first available PPED minus 4 years. [Punishment Part Expiry Date]
The GIC replied; [Governor in Charge]
“No chance you’ve not completed SCP!” [Self Change Programme]
I had my GPA in 2014. [Generic Programmes Assessment]
When PCMB ruled SCP was a must. [Programmes Case Management Board]
I appealed the GPA about the SCP to the FLM. [First Line Manager]
Since I’d never had an LSCMI done. [Level of Service Case Management Index]
The RMT agreed the “LSCMI risk assessment” must be done! [Risk Management Team]
PBSW said LSCMI was medium. [Prison Based Social Work]
And ROSH was low. [Risk of Serious Harm]
So SCP selection was reversed by RMT. [Risk Management Team]
Now Discovery Course was recommended by the SPS. [Scottish Prison Service]
For a few weeks I had no PPC. [Prisoners Private Cash]
My stress was noticed by the PCO. [Prison Custody Officer]
Usually I train hard at PT to fight the blues. [Physical Training]
The MHT was worried I was unstable. [Mental Health Team]
They have misinterpreted my complex PTSD. [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]
Now the professionals are recommending a PRA? [Psychological Risk Assessment]
Everyone has bad days. WTF!!! [What the F***]
All during this time I had no ICM. [Integrated Case Management]
But now that obstacle is passed I’m off to N.T.E! [National Top End]
I’ve passed the MDT. [Mandatory Drug Test]
Social work have approved the HBR. [Home Background Report]
Though now I’m only 2 years from my PQD. [Parole Qualifying Date]
I’m hoping soon I’ll get my first SEL. [Special Escorted Leave]
The process to get home once you’re in HMP. [His Majesties Prison]
HM Prison Greenock, Tim Robertson Silver Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
The Process in Acronym
The Process in Acronym
HM Prison Greenock, Tim Robertson Silver Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
Aubergine
HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Ariane Bankes Platinum Award and 18 and Under Special Award for Painting, 2024
For Those Who Judge
They cannot understand incarceration for theydon’t yet understand freedom as it has
not yet been taken from them.
HM Prison Magilligan, Open Window Silver Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi
For Those Who Judge
For Those Who Judge
HM Prison Magilligan, Open Window Silver Award for Poem, 2024
Selected by Abbas Zahedi