A unique exhibition of over 50 pieces of artwork created by inmates at HMP Hull has gone on display at City Life Church Hull.

The opening day of the exhibition, the first time that prisoners’ art has been released for public display, was attended by 70 visitors to the city centre venue.

The art exhibition is a joint venture between Hull Prison’s Business and Community Development department and City Life Church.  Its aim is to show the wider public that behind the walls of Hull Prison is a very active and talented group of learners, and that those currently serving time in the prison are part of Hull’s community too.

I visited the prison in east Hull to meet inmates currently enrolled on fine arts courses, managed by Manchester College, and was impressed by what I encountered. The students are not only focussed upon developing their technique, they’re also passionate about learning more about historic and contemporary artists and their styles.

I enjoyed several conversations with learners about realism, impressionism, perspective, various ‘masters’ and the development of style and technique.  The depth of understanding, and the speed at which the learners progress in developing their ‘craft’ is remarkable.  Their rapid climb up the learning curve is supported by an energetic and inspiring tutor, Christian, and, I dare suggest, the inmates have more uninterrupted time than most to devote to their study.

Engaging in the practice and study of fine arts in a prison environment, as you might imagine, is not without its challenges and limitations.  The art room, for example, is quite small for the 8 or so learners which gather for each tutorial session. The room is also fairly dark, there are few windows to provide natural daylight, and those windows do not provide a view which encourages creativity. Learners take their inspiration from books and magazines, indeed I instantly recognised one artist’s interpretation of a striking portrait by photographer Steve McCurry used on the cover of an edition of National Geographic magazine.  ‘Still life’ compositions are one of the few tangible subjects that can, however, be used to provide inspiration in the austere setting of the prison art room.

The public response to the artworks selected for the ‘Behind Walls’ exhibition at City Life Church has been overwhelmingly positive.  Visitors commented on the maturity of artistic style and ability of the artists represented. The styles on display are wide-ranging, from modern ‘pop-art’ after Lichtenstein, through more conservative landscape works after Constable, to bold abstract expressionism after Rothko.

The exhibition also includes wooden models, some made from matchsticks using only a set of nail-clippers, and examples of inmates’ creative writing.

The exhibition continues to the end of April, opening Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons, and at other times by arrangement.  The church and prison are particularly keen to encourage businesses and other community groups to visit the exhibition.

‘Behind Walls – artworks from inside HMP Hull’,
City Life Church,
66-67 Wright Street, Hull, HU2 8JD.

Jerome