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Unlock the talent inside

Since 1962 the Koestler Awards have played a unique, national role in motivating prisoners, secure hospital patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts. The Koestler Awards are simple and powerful – we reward achievement, build self-confidence and broaden horizons for some of society’s most disadvantaged and marginalised people.

Our work harnesses the uniquely transformative power of the arts to help individuals learn the skills and gain the confidence to live creative, positive and productive lives. Each year we receive more than 7,000 entries from over 3,500 entrants across the UK in 52 categories. More than 2,000 Awards are granted by over 100 esteemed judges, and each year culminates in a curated exhibition at Southbank Centre which showcases the incredible power of the arts to transform lives.

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  • First Impressions -
    Portraits from Prisons

Tooth Pick Lady - Don't Go to the Dentist in Prison!, Camden and Islington Probation Service, Portrait, 2017
Home > Exhibitions and Events > Exhibitions around the UK > First Impressions – portraits from prisons

First Impressions – portraits from prisons

Curated by Koestler Arts, at the invitation of the Prisons Mission of Churches Together in Westminster

21 March – 10 June 2018

> Click here to see a selection of the artworks in the show.

Koestler Arts and The Prisons Mission present an exhibition touring central London churches throughout 2018. The tour begins at St James’s Piccadilly, and continues to Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church and St Martins-in-the-Fields.

The Prisons Mission is an initiative of Churches Together in Westminster (CTiW) which provides support and assistance identified and needed by the multi-faith Chaplaincy Teams in prisons. It also aims to ensure that prisons while out of sight are not out of mind.

The exhibition showcases a selection of portraiture and sculpture entered into the 2017 Koestler Awards from across the UK. The artworks highlight the skills and talents of people in prisons and other secure settings and represent the strength of work that is entered into the awards scheme every year.

Project Partner:


  • A Head Full of Possibilities Thumb

    A Head Full of Possibilities
    HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany)
    John Crockett Highly Commended Award for Portrait
    2017

  • 17K4468-thumb

    Inside My Head
    HM Prison Gartree
    Bronze Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Inside The Prison Library Thumb

    Inside The Prison Library
    Staffordshire and West Midlands Community Rehabilitation Company
    First-Time Entrant Award for Portrait
    2017

  • 17K4180-thum

    Female Officer
    HM Prison Lewes
    Bronze Award for Sculpture
    2017

  • Heads Thumb

    Heads
    HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster)
    Commended Award for Ceramics
    2017

  • 17K4795-thumb

    Shout It Out
    Pinetree Court Hospital
    Portrait
    2017

  • 13K3967-thumb

    Amy Jailhouse
    HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc
    Recycling or Papier Mâché
    2013

  • Nadiya Thumb

    Nadiya
    HM Prison Ashfield
    Clara Alman Platinum Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Toothpick Lady Thumb

    Tooth Pick Lady - Don't Go to the Dentist in Prison!
    Camden and Islington Probation Service
    Portrait
    2017

  • Inside Out Thumb

    Inside Out
    HM Prison Swaleside (Sheppey Cluster)
    Portrait
    2017

  • Dark Past Bright Future Thumb

    Dark Past Bright Future
    Staffordshire & West Midlands Probation Trust
    Highly Commended Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Man in a Pad Thumb

    Man in a Pad
    HM Young Offender Institution Wetherby
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking Thumb

    Wishful Thinking 1 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 2 Thumb

    Wishful Thinking 2 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 3 Thumb

    Wishful Thinking 3 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 4

    Wishful Thinking 4 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 5

    Wishful Thinking 5 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 6 Thumb

    Wishful Thinking 6 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 7 Thumb

    Wishful Thinking 7 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Wishful Thinking 8 Thumb

    Wishful Thinking 8 of 8
    HM Prison Kirkham
    Portrait
    2017

  • Inside my face of feelings thumb

    Inside My Face of Feelings
    HM Prison Lewes
    Bronze Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Andy Warhol Thumb

    Andy Warhol
    HM Prison Altcourse
    First-Time Entrant Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Prince Phillip Thumb

    Prince Philip
    Wolfson House (secure mental health unit)
    Gold Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Lemmy Thumb

    Lemmy
    HM Prison Glenochil
    Gold Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Inside, Outside, Leave Me Alone Thumb

    Inside, Outside, Leave Me Alone
    HM Prison Glenochil
    Commended Award for Painting
    2017

  • R.I.P Mr Jones Thumb

    R.I.P Mr Jones
    HM Prison Full Sutton
    Space Station Sixty-Five Platinum Award for Mixed Media
    2017

  • Ageing Gracefully Thumb

    Ageing Gracefully
    The Spinney (secure mental health unit)
    Commended Award for Portrait
    2017

  • Different Faces Thumb

    Different Faces
    Fromeside Clinic
    First-Time Entrant Award for Mixed Media
    2017

  • Innocence Thumb

    Innocence
    HM Prison Dartmoor
    Commended Award for Sculpture
    2017