Curated by people on probation
A Koestler Arts exhibition for the South East of England
1 March – 19 May 2019
Turner Contemporary, Margate
We Made This was our first exhibition in the South East, on display at Turner Contemporary in Margate. The exhibited artworks were drawn from over 700 artworks submitted from Kent and Sussex establishments to the 2018 Koestler Awards.
Over 70 artworks made by people in prisons, young offender institutions, secure hospitals and on probation in Kent and Sussex were on display. Both imaginative in subject matter and ingenious in material use, these creations included paintings, sculpture, music, poetry, needlework and craft. The exhibition was on show in the Clore Learning Studio, which has a wall of windows looking out to sea.
A group of people on probation curated the exhibition – service users from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company (KSSCRC). What went up on the walls was their vision. The curators selected the artworks, shaped the themes and helped to determine the design. During this project they were guided by local artist and facilitator Trish Scott.
“It’s been an honour to spend time with this artwork and make the selection. We invite visitors to be brave and daring in viewing these works, just as the artists were in making them. Lay your perceptions down by the door and see what you find…”
-Trish Scott
Online Gallery
With Love
I always looked forwards to a letter from my friend,Little did I know ‚Äòthat’ letter was the end,
Just 7 short lines I read with a frown,
Then my world came crashing down.
15 years of friendship now all gone,
Now no friends I can rely on,
So once again I am on my own,
To live what’s left of life, alone.
I’m paying the price for what I’ve done,
But I know I’m not the only one,
Who’s paying for what they didn’t do,
It’s happened to more than just a few.
It is still hard to accept,
That my Legal Aid barrister was so inept.
She did not try to push my case,
Or put my prosecutor in his place.
Small village gossip and exaggerated acts,
Had nothing to do with actual facts,
How can they turn a well meant gesture,
And poison it with twisted conjecture.
But twist it they did, and put me in prison,
Serving time – whatever the reason,
Injustice won in the end,
Years in prison, now I will spend.
But hey, that’s life, I’ll take it on the chin,
One day I will be out, with a grin,
I will start my life over again,
But I will never forget the lies and the pain.
Maybe my friends never really were,
Or they still would be there,
I’ve lived many years on my own,
Needing no-one – I can survive alone.
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
2018
With Love
With Love
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
2018
Not Everything is Black & White
If I were a wealthy man,Such things I’d give to thee:
All gauges and guises
Of umpteen surprises,
And wealthy I’ll someday be.
If I were a clever man,
Such things I’d build for thee:
All manner of modes
Of humble abodes,
And clever I’ll someday be.
If I were a travelling man,
Such things I’d bring to thee:
All features and faces
Of faraway places,
And travelled I’ll someday be.
If I were a braver man,
Such things I’d promise thee:
All valour in verses
Of tethering curses
Will someday be set free.
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Poem
2018
Not Everything is Black & White
Not Everything is Black & White
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Poem
2018
My Face In The Shadows
I think the English language must be awfully absurd,to have so many connotations hidden in each word.
Let us take a simple case, to help you understand,
A lone commuter, 6am, briefcase in his hand.
Waiting on the platform, for his usual daily train,
trepidation niggles as he’s soaked by heavy rain.
He knows it won’t take much to send his careful plans awry,
for everybody knows! ,A train can’t run unless it’s dry,
Constantly he checks his watch, with growing agitation,
feeling sad and isolated on this soggy station.
Knowing if this train is late, his working days are done,
his boss already told him he’s no longer “number one”.
When they chose the cream, and throw the others out to rot,
“redundancy” the word that’s used, to soften what they got,
he knows now he’ll be one of them, because the hand of fate,
messed up his connections so he got to work too late.
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
Bronze Award for Poem
2018
My Face In The Shadows
My Face In The Shadows
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
Bronze Award for Poem
2018
Hanging by a Thread
He was supposed to love me, not hate me, my Dad,When, as a child – was I really that bad?
What did I do, when I was six?
To make me deserve the belts, slaps, and kicks?
I’d go to school with a note of excuses,
Because the belt left welts, the buckle, cuts and bruises.
All over my back, legs, and bum,
Blood from my ear, when he burst my eardrum.
Why was I locked in that dark coal cellar?
I was six years old – just a little fella.
I got scared of the dark, and would cry and cry,
Even at that age, I thought I would die.
My older brother would blame me for all,
He was ‚ÄòDaddies boy’ ‚Äì I was his fool.
He’d say to my Dad, ‚ÄòWasn’t me! ‚Äì **** did it’,
It seemed he enjoyed me getting hit.
Feeling unloved, my Mum couldn’t protect me at all,
If she tried, he knocked her from wall to wall.
I was terrified of him – my mother was too,
But I was only six – what could I do?
Dad never called me by my name, I could hear,
But always ‚ÄòLittle b****** ‚Äì you come here!’
Being an alcoholic – methylated spirits, his drink,
Was it that, that finally pushed him over the brink?
‚ÄòI’m sorry ‚Äì I love you’ ‚Äì words for him to say,
How I longed for those words, every single day!
But no, it was the beatings – which I got the brunt,
I was not his son, I was his runt.
Being a good parent was no longer his role,
Becoming a violent drunk was his goal.
In the beginning I loved by Dad, and highly I rated,
In the end – that hopeless drunk – I hated.
At aged 11, he ran off with his whore,
‚ÄòGood’ I thought, ‚Äòhe’ll abuse me no more.’
Then, when I was 14, he finally died,
‚ÄòEven better’, I thought ‚Äì I never cried.
His hate for me he was keen to show,
He’s dead now ‚Äì so WHY, I’ll never know.
All he’s left me is heartache and sorrows,
And I’ve carried them with me into all my tomorrows.
Maybe it’s time for me to let go?
Maybe it’s time to end all this sorrow?
All my anger and pain, back to you, I give,
All that’s left is, Dad, you I FORGIVE.
I found these words so hard to write,
But now, I think, it’ll be alright.
Regrets or guilt your bones can’t feel,
But your soul, and mine, can now start to heal.
I still wish I could have told him how I felt,
How I still remember his temper, and that belt.
But I never got the chance, which makes me sad,
To ask him the question, ‚ÄòWas I really that bad?’
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
Platinum Visitors’ Choice Award
2018
Hanging by a Thread
Hanging by a Thread
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
Platinum Visitors’ Choice Award
2018
3D sculpture
I ‘fort I’d ‚Äòave it sorted ‘an by now be stinkin’ rich,But sum’ow that ain’t ‘appened so I ‘fink there’s bin’ a glitch.
Did wot’ I was spose’d ta do ‘t make me life run smoove,
‘n still me wheel of progress jus’ don’t sit right in the groove.
Don’t be fooled, I’ve ‘ad me chances, more’n I can count,
but all them doors I stepped ‘fru don’t add up to no amount.
One time I was proper posh an’ ran a country pub,
pulling pints fer’ gentry while they scoffed me poncy grub.
Even got invited out to lunch ‘n to a ball!
Didn’t ‘ave the fancy gear tho’ so I ‘ad to stall.
Left me pub t’ be a mum ‘cos ‘fort I’d do it well…
B*******!!!! In reality babies make life Hell!
People called me muvva’ earf’ but little did they know,
I ‘ated every minute until ‘e began to grow!
Then one day I saw an awesome, crazy little man
an’ knew I ‘ad to teach ‘im every single ‘fing I can!
Sadly we all know there ain’t no money grows on trees,
so went t’ find a job wiv’ cap in ‘and n’ on my knees.
Landed me a cushy number, supervisor cook,
even ‘ad an office…well more a corner nook,
‘Ad to feed the kiddies in a big ‘ol draughty school,
Always had a chuckle when they acted super cool.
Weren’t so tough at lunchtime, Mr 6th form, 6ft 3″,
beggin’ for anuvva’ waffle, “please miss, giv’ us 3?”…
Spose it took about a term ta see that I’d bin’ blind,
me childminder weren’t me n’ now me son ‘ad fell behind!
Jacked me job to ‘ave anuvva try at ‚Äòsuper mum’.
Met a fella, settled down n’ ‘ad me second one.
Bought meself a wedding frock fer’ marriage number three…
(One of ’em was bigamous so kudos points to me!
tho’ it weren’t on purpose it should still command respect,
‘cos while I led me double life, not once did I suspect!)
That was meant to be the bit where I ‘ad finally found
the ‚Äòappy ever after’ that I ‘fort ‘ad gone to ground.
Baby ‘free ‘n four confirmed the fizz ‘ad all gone flat,
shining armour worn away n’ leaving jus a t***!
“Never mind” I ‘fort, I’m ‘appy goin’ out to work.
I’d rather earn me keep than bum around n’ be a jerk.
I ‘ad this mate wot’ owned a caf’ n’ wanted to retire,
so ‘e offered me the leasehold as a first refusal buyer.
Sat n’ dun’ a business plan n’ worked me figures out,
then took it down the bank where they just laughed n’ giv’ me nowt!
Bang went yet anuvva’ chance t’ turn me life t’ good,
seems like karma ‘ates me just a bit more ‚Äòn it should.
I ‘cud ‘arp on n’ bore ya’ senseless wiv’ me sorry woes,.
But life is just connections, if you miss, that’s ‚Äòow it goes.
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
First-time Entrant Award for Poem
2018
3D sculpture
3D sculpture
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
First-time Entrant Award for Poem
2018
With Love
HM Prison Standford Hill
Handmade Greeting Card
2018
Untitled
HM Prison Standford Hill
Watercolour and Gouache
2018
When I Walk Down The Street
HM Prison Elmley
First-time Entrant Award for Graphic Novel
Silver Visitors’ Choice Award
2018
Victorian Murders
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
First-time Entrant Award for Poem
2018
Tree
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood
Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: Connections
2018
Tim’s Adventure
HM Prison Elmley
Drawing
2018
The Playhouse
HM Prison Standford Hill
Highly Commended Award for Craft
2018
The Oldest Rocker in Town
HM Prison Lewes
Commended Award for Sculpture
2018
The Old Forest
HM Prison Elmley
Bronze Award for Drawing
2018
The Day Is My Nightmare
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood
Under 18s Special Award for Themed Category: Connections
2018
The Battle
HM Prison Elmley
Drawing
2018
Tears of Joy
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Painting
2018
Susan
HM Prison Standford Hill
Commended Award for Textile Art
2018
Surfer
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution East Sutton Park
Painting
2018
Strange Brew
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
Bronze Award for Poem
2018
Spontaneous Fusion
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Poem
2018
Space Quest?
HM Prison Elmley
Painting
2018
Seeing in Colour 2
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Portrait
2018
Not Everything is Black & White
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
Bronze Award for Poem
2018
Satao II (African ‘Tusker’)
HM Prison Standford Hill
Evelyn Plesch Platinum Award for Painting
2018
My Face In The Shadows
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
First-time Entrant Award for Poem
2018
Prison Isshoo (After Jimmy Choo)
HM Prison Standford Hill
Themed Category: Connections
2018
Princess Charlotte
HM Prison Ford
Commended Award for Portrait
2018
Portrait of Lady
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Portrait
2018
Mosaic
Tinsley House Immigration Removal Centre
Commended Award for Craft
2018
Pony
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
Bronze Award for Poem
2018
Platonic Onion (Version II)
HM Prison Standford Hill
Bronze Award for Themed Category: Connections
2018
Part of the Brickwork
HM Prison Elmley
Sculpture
2018
Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy
HM Prison Elmley
Watercolour and Gouache
2018
My Beautiful Son
HM Prison Standford Hill
Bronze Award for Portrait
2018
Moon
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
2018
Man on the Moon
HM Prison Elmley
Painting
2018
Life Through a Lens
The Hellingly Centre (secure mental health unit)
Painting
2018
Last Farewell
HM Prison Elmley
Drawing
2018
Knights
HM Prison Elmley
Commended Award for Poem
2018
Jail Fever H.M.P. Elmley Prison
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Rochester
Drawing
2018
Houses
Tarentfort Centre (secure mental health unit)
Silver Award for Sculpture
2018
I.P.P. Scandal
HM Prison Standford Hill
Bronze Award for Themed Category: Connections
2018
Hopes Afar
HM Prison Lewes
Mixed Media
2018
Hanging by a Thread
HM Prison Lewes
Mixed Media
2018
HMP Gatehouse
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company
First-time Entrant Award for Poem
2018
Headful
Bracton Centre (secure mental health unit)
Highly Commended Award for Portrait
2018
GNU’s at Nine
HM Prison Elmley
Watercolour and Gouache
2018
Frozen Mud Track
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
2018
First Love
HM Prison Maidstone
Sculpture
2018
Family Pride
HM Prison Standford Hill
Painting
Bronze Visitors’ Choice Award
2018
Fallen Angel
HM Prison Standford Hill
Painting
2018
Face
HM Prison Standford Hill
Painting
2018
Evolving
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Rochester
Highly Commended Award for Painting
2018
Eternal Tears (From Michelangelo’s Head of Medici Madonna)
HM Prison Lewes
Drawing
2018
Connections
HM Prison Standford Hill
Themed Category: Connections
2018
Come to Life
HM Prison Swaleside
Highly Commended Award for Poem
2018
Colours of Sadness
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood
Monument Trust Fine Art Award for Portrait
2018
Clement
HM Prison Swaleside
Commended Award for Sculpture
2018
Bars (1 & 2)
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution East Sutton Park
Watercolour and Gouache
2018
Art to Art
HM Prison Lewes
Themed Category: Connections
2018
All the Way Home
HM Prison & Young Offender Institution East Sutton Park
Highly Commended Award for Handmade Book
2018
3D sculpture
HM Prison Swaleside
Sculpture
2018
