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Donation Total: £50.00

No Lockdown in the Imagination

Outdoor Art Installation

12 November – 13 December 2020
Southbank Centre

No Lockdown in the Imagination was an outdoor installation of artwork by people in the criminal justice system, featuring pieces entered into the 2020 Koestler Awards.

Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, the exhibition had to take place in the windows of the Southbank Centre. Visual art and poetry were emblazoned on the windows of Southbank Centre. Additionally, audio performances of poetry and spoken word entries were played through outdoor speakers. Audiences could also view the work online via our digital exhibition gallery of photos, videos and audio captions read by our exhibition hosts.

Despite the backdrop of national, local and prison lockdowns, the 2020 Koestler Awards still managed to attract over 6,500 entries. Using limited materials and unlimited imaginations, people across our criminal justice system kept producing artistic work, often alone in their cells, as a way to keep themselves going. This exhibition celebrated their achievements and shared their continued creativity with the outside world.

The title of our installation quotes Lemn Sissay MBE, whose blog entry on 3rd May 2020 read: “The reason prisoners can create extraordinary art and poetry is because there is no lockdown in the imagination.” Koestler Arts is grateful for his permission to use his words.

“It has been such a tonic and such a positive way to spend time during this pandemic, especially as much of my work has focused on other themes in life, distracting me from the news all around us right now.”

– Koestler Awards entrant, 2020

Watch

Check out our No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition film to see behind the scenes of this exhibition.

Watch here

Listen

Listen to some of the poetry and spoken word pieces from the exhibition in our YouTube playlist. You can also hear our exhibition hosts talking through some of the visual pieces on display, and sharing artists comments.

Listen here

Online Gallery

Window

Winnnnn,dowww
Winnnn ,.win, overcome, succeed
Pass, beat, defeat, lose
and fail as you cross over the ledge
and trip into the abyss of a day-dream
to wake up in the night and stare again
at a window darkened by a disappearing
hope,

Window
window..winnn
dowwww,.dough, the bread you seek
beyond the glass of a brittle truth
and exhausting arguments of a little place
obsessed with its fabled grandeur
and delicious cake

Window
A little window
you open and shut
mercilessly, thoughtlessly
cowardly, fearfully
against the breeze
the scent of a rose
and the gaze of a dream,.
 

HM Prison Frankland, Bronze Award for Themed Category: Window

Window

Window

HM Prison Frankland, Bronze Award for Themed Category: Window

Trespassers

We almost trampled out your gaze upon the stars,
that night
we stopped
stunned and staring down
silent in the ghostliness
sea mist veiled the prison yard
you didn’t flinch
and we admire courage here.

I stooped
placed your pluckiness
in the cold palm of my hand
and wondered how you wandered
into our world.

Fortune favoured your bravery
it was me
who picked you up
placed you down
and pointed out the leap to freedom.

We walked on in silence
in the sea mist
in the prison yard
where we trespassed
upon each other that night
my friend and I.
 

HM Prison Magilligan
Bronze Award for Poetry Collection
2020

Trespassers

Trespassers

HM Prison Magilligan
Bronze Award for Poetry Collection
2020

Transparency

The steel shutter rattles and rises as it begins again.
Everything is different, but somehow the same.

The sun peeks over the top of the building, I feel its warmth envelope me.
Time has an alternative meaning for me.

Transport rolls by going where it must.
Now the rain is pelting from all directions, getting me wet.
It runs from top to bottom.

Suddenly I shiver, maybe it’s the wind picking up and covering me in dirt and grime.
What’s wrong with me?

Everything is smudged and out of focus.
Will today be the day?

People glance my way, but then look disgusted and leave.
A pail filled with soapy water appears, next thing I know I’m covered in suds.
It’s starting to become clearer now.

Someone of something has hit me with a stone.
I think I may be cracking up, one more hit and I might fall to pieces.

The steel shutter rattles and descends.
Darkness has come again.
 

HM Prison Castle Huntly
Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

Transparency

Transparency

HM Prison Castle Huntly
Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

Trails

The hills lie outside my window.
What traces lie among lichen and heather and
Hides beneath your snow?
My mind trails
And I wonder:
How did you survive?
How have you healed the scars of battles passed?
As we wreak destruction
Shorn of compassion
And it is left to you
Hills
To recover.
Now silence reigns
Cut by the call of the birds
You have restored
– Yourself and me
As I sit, by my window and gaze,
At you
And for that time, I drift away
Wondering at the
Survival –
Ochils, Pentlands, Grampians
And I.
 

HM Prison Glenochil
Platinum Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

Trails

Trails

HM Prison Glenochil
Platinum Award for Themed Category: Window
2020

A thumbnail preview of Woman in Armchair 3/20, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Woman in Armchair 3/20

HM Prison The Verne
Clara Alman Platinum Award for Watercolour and Gouache
2020

A thumbnail preview of Z Dog, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Z Dog

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
First-Time Entrant Award for Ceramics
2020

A thumbnail preview of Window of Opportunity, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Window of Opportunity

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Space Station Sixty-Five Platinum Award for Ceramics
2020

A thumbnail preview of Waving to the World, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Waving to the World

St Mary’s Hospital
Commended Award for Portrait
2020

A thumbnail preview of Virus, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Virus

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Bronze Award for Watercolour and Gouache

A thumbnail preview of Untitled, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Untitled

HM Prison Bure
Gold Award for Drawing
2020

A thumbnail preview of Through the Keyhole, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Through the Keyhole

HM Prison Kilmarnock
Arts Society Ayrshire Highly Commended Award for Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of The Only Certainty, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

The Only Certainty

HM Prison Haverigg
Painting
2020

A thumbnail preview of Reflection, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Reflection

Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre
Gold Award for Printmaking
2020

A thumbnail preview of Terminator Model, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Terminator Model

HM Prison Whatton
Silver Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Teddy Bear, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Teddy Bear

HM Prison Bronzefield
Needlecraft
2020

A thumbnail preview of Stray Dog, Quizzical Rabbit, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Stray Dog, Quizzical Rabbit

Arbury Court (secure hospital)
Bronze Award for Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Standing Dragon, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Standing Dragon

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Ceramic
2020

A thumbnail preview of Soap, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Soap

HM Prison Bronzefield
Commended Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Several States of Mind, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Several States of Mind

HM Prison Dartmoor
Silver Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Seated Figure, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Seated Figure

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Drawing
2020

A thumbnail preview of Seahorse, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Seahorse

HM Prison Bronzefield
Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Runny Fellish, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Runny Fellish

HM Prison Cardiff
Highly Commended Award for Watercolour and Gouache
2020

A thumbnail preview of Rattus I & II, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Rattus I & II

HM Prison Exeter
Craft
2020

A thumbnail preview of Rat-Art, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Rat-Art

Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre
Commended Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Quirky Duck, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Quirky Duck

HM Prison Dovegate
Under 25s Special Award for Ceramics
2020

A thumbnail preview of Octopus Paperweight, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Octopus Paperweight

HM Prison Dovegate
Ceramic
2020

A thumbnail preview of Mythical Creature, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Mythical Creature

HM Young Offender Institution Polmont
Drawing
2022

A thumbnail preview of Mobile Home, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Mobile Home

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Stockwell Silver Award for Ceramic
2020

A thumbnail preview of Miss Lou, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Miss Lou

HM Prison Long Lartin
Silver Award for Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Inside Out, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Inside Out

HM Prison Erlestoke
Highly Commended Award for Textile Art
2020

A thumbnail preview of Let’s Celebrate International Women’s Day, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Let’s Celebrate International Women’s Day

HM Prison Bronzefield
Weavers’ Company Platinum Award for Fashion
2020

A thumbnail preview of Keep Safe, Keep Clean I & II, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Keep Safe, Keep Clean I & II

HM Prison Bronzefield
Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Hope, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Hope

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Low Newton
Bowman Smart Bronze Award for Textile Art
2020

A thumbnail preview of I Found My Window, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

I Found My Window

Huntingdon Probation Service
Bronze Award for Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Hand of Fate, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Hand of Fate

Atkinson Secure Unit
Commended Award for Printmaking
2020

A thumbnail preview of Growing Old and Grey, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Growing Old and Grey

HM Prison Full Sutton
Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Going Mad, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Going Mad

Sandwell Youth Offending Service
Portrait
2020

A thumbnail preview of God’s Not Dead, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

God’s Not Dead

HM Prison Bronzefield
Commended Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Frogs I & II, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Frogs I & II

HM Prison Warren Hill
Craft

A thumbnail preview of Free, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Free

Guernsey Prison
Silver Award for Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Flying Sail Fish, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Flying Sail Fish

Isle of Wight Probation Service
Gold Award for Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Euphoria, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Euphoria

HM Prison Glenochil
Mixed Media
2020

A thumbnail preview of Ducky, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Ducky

HM Prison Bronzefield
Drawing
2020

A thumbnail preview of Doing Time 3, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Doing Time 3

HM Prison Glenochil
Silver Award for Printmaking
2020

A thumbnail preview of Dene, The Black Dog, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Dene, The Black Dog

Priory Hospital Burgess Hill
Highly Commended Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Crazy Heads, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Crazy Heads

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Ceramic

A thumbnail preview of Coed Fairground, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Coed Fairground

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Bronze Award for Matchstick Model
2020

A thumbnail preview of Clean View, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Clean View

HM Prison Peterborough
Themed Category: Window
2020

A thumbnail preview of Cats I & II, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Cats I & II

HM Prison Warren Hill
Craft
2020

A thumbnail preview of Bird Cage – Imprisoned!, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Bird Cage – Imprisoned!

HM Prison Exeter
Paper Craft Gold Award for Craft
2020

A thumbnail preview of Blue Ape, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Blue Ape

HM Prison Warren Hill
Craft
2020

A thumbnail preview of Blockzar the Dragon, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Blockzar the Dragon

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Grampian
Bronze Award for Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Bird Man & Cat Woman, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Bird Man & Cat Woman

HM Prison Glenochil
Highly Commended Award for Printmaking
2020

A thumbnail preview of Bird Bath, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Bird Bath

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
Highly Commended Award for Ceramics
2020

A thumbnail preview of Bare Cells I & II, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Bare Cells I & II

HM Prison Lewes
Bronze Award for Drawing
2020

A thumbnail preview of Balrolf, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Balrolf

HM Prison Greenock
Sculpture
2020

A thumbnail preview of Alligator, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Alligator

HM Prison Warren Hill
Margaret Lipsey Recycled Materials Commended Award for Craft
2020

A thumbnail preview of Aliens 2, an example of Visual Art work from the No Lockdown in the Imagination exhibition.

Aliens 2

John Howard Centre (secure hospital)
Commended Award for Painting
2020