We are all Human is the UK’s annual national showcase of arts by prisoners, ex-offenders on community sentences, secure psychiatric patients and immigration detainees. It is the ninth exhibition in an ongoing partnership between the Koestler Trust and Southbank Centre.
“Prison is a concrete jungle so I wanted to get as much nature into the exhibition as possible. We are all human – it’s a really simple truth”
This year’s show was curated by writer and dub–poet Benjamin Zephaniah. The exhibition features a wide range of artforms including painting, drawing, matchstick modelling, craft, music and writing, exploring themes of time, contemplation and the natural environment.
Working alongside Southbank Centre exhibition hosts, to welcome visitors and invigilate the exhibition, are ex-prisoners, specially recruited, trained and employed by the Koestler Trust. As well as gaining unique work experience and new skills, the hosts deepen visitors’ engagement with the exhibition, enabling audiences to hear first-hand how the arts reflect and enrich the lives of people in secure and criminal justice settings.
Art by Offenders, Secure Patients and Detainees from the 2016 Koestler Awards
Curated by Benjamin Zephaniah
15 Sep – 13 Nov 2016
Southbank Centre, London
Spirit Level
Southbank Centre
London
SE1 8XX
Open Daily 10am – 11pm
Free Entry