University of Hull art exhibition takes no prisoners

The exhibition, in partnership with Hull prison features artwork from more than 20 prisoners and is designed to share a positive narrative around the institution – which is part of the Hull community.

Dr Helen Nichols, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Hull, said: “As unique and challenging environments, prisons are ideal sites for controversial news stories and the majority of media coverage tends to be negative. While prisons are places where people can feel unsafe and overwhelmed, they are also places where positive things can happen.”

Dr Nichols visited HMP Hull last year – visiting the art room where prisoners were creating art and working towards a variety of accredited qualifications.

“In some cases, old prison bedsheets had been resourcefully stretched to create canvases – recognisable by the pale green material still showing on the reverse. I was distinctly struck by the passion and enthusiasm of their teacher and the commitment of the learning and skills manager to promote art as a positive activity.”

Dr Nichols suggests that the art room in prisons, much like the library, is often a quiet space that facilitates temporary solace and opportunities for personal development. Providing a sense of escape from sometimes overbearing spaces elsewhere in the prison, art rooms and education environments can be places to protect mental wellbeing.

With previous success in developing and formalising prison-university partnerships, Dr Nichols knew this could be a new opportunity to bring the University of Hull together with HMP Hull to engage in ‘meaningful public engagement’ and was aligned to the University’s commitment to social justice.

“We are fortunate at the University to have a beautiful on-campus art gallery with year-round exhibitions. Having pitched an idea to my new colleagues at HMP Hull, we were all in agreement that our partnership created an opportunity to give a platform to the prisoners’ artwork.”

Hull has a proud and rich history of arts culture. The University of Hull’s partnership with the Freedom Festival prompted the exhibition project team to develop a brief for a prisoner art exhibition. Having decided on the theme of ‘isolation’, which appropriately speaks to the prison context, it is hoped the exhibition will shine a light on one of the most hidden spaces in the Hull community.

Jamie Smith, Learning and Skills Manager, HMP Hull, said: “The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for us all to recognise the creativity and artistic talents of those in prison. Positive attributes like these are frequently overlooked - and it is good to be able to raise awareness that there are good things happening behind prison walls.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with the University of Hull in this collaborative exhibition – and value the importance of bringing together two key social institutions in this way.

“Since the artists’ families will be able to visit the exhibition and celebrate the artwork, the exhibition is also an opportunity to raise the self-esteem of the artists through appreciation of their work. For some, this could be life-changing – increasing resilience and providing hope for the future.”

The exhibition runs until the end of August and is free to attend.