Postcards from Prison features 19 pieces of contemporary art, mostly by Aboriginal prisoners, in a dedicated space at the gallery on the Curtin University campus.
The exhibition includes paintings by prisoners enrolled in Visual Arts studies at Curtin University through the Justice and Equity Through Art (JETA) program.
The Department of Justice and Curtin University have a Memorandum of Understanding in place which enables prisoners to undertake degree studies across a range of courses.
“The JETA program has been running for 19 years in WA custodial facilities and allows educators to support prisoners and provide the materials they need to achieve academic success,” Department Acting Director General Kylie Maj said.
“Education and training are critical contributors to rehabilitating and reintegrating the people in our care,” Ms Maj said.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said Curtin was proud to host the Postcards from Prison exhibition.
“Education is a fundamental human right and Curtin is pleased to be able to help incarcerated students further their knowledge, confidence and skills,” Professor Hayne said.
“This exhibition further strengthens the collaboration between Curtin, the John Curtin Gallery and the Department of Justice through the successful JETA program.”
Postcards from Prison is open to the public and runs until 7 July. Its creation follows the suspension of the regular Insider Art exhibitions at Fremantle Prison while that gallery space undergoes refurbishment.
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said the exhibition was the result of dedicated efforts by prison education staff to help develop and promote prisoners’ work.
“It’s an important recognition of those prisoners’ talents to be exhibited in such a contemporary art space and be able to communicate their stories to a broader audience,” Commissioner Royce said.
One of the exhibited artists, who began his studies in prison and transitioned to the campus after release, spray-painted a mural of an Aboriginal Elder at the gallery entrance for the event.
“Prison staff were pretty supportive and have helped me progress forward since I’ve been released,” he said. “Without that support I probably wouldn’t have made it this far, so fast.”
The Curtin exhibition is not the only current opportunity to see prisoner art. Two prisoners have four paintings in the 2024 Revealed exhibition of new and emerging WA Aboriginal artists at the Fremantle Arts Centre which runs until 4 August.
Department of Justice Acting Director General Kylie Maj, Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne and Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce at the exhibition opening.
