Art gallery breaks new ground with prison-based art studio

Birmingham’s renowned Ikon Gallery is breaking new ground thanks to an innovative initiative to establish an art studio within the walls of a prison.

The city gallery has unveiled a new artist residency funded by the Rothschild Foundation in partnership with HMP Spring Hill in Buckinghamshire as part of its Art in Prisons Programme.

The facility will enable a professional artist and group of prisoners to explore creative practice through weekly workshops in an art school inspired location.

With a focus on the development of artistic expression and technical skills – including painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and textiles - the project complements the prison’s education scheme to support health, wellbeing and transition into the workplace.

HMP is a men’s open prison in Buckinghamshire jointly managed with HMP Grendon, a Category B therapeutic prison where the Birmingham gallery has produced an artist residency since 2014. Working with the Rothschild Foundation and the prison, Ikon will invite Buckinghamshire partners to provide creative briefs for the residency.

The work produced will form the basis of seasonal exhibitions and events, curated and hosted by the resident artist and prisoners, providing an opportunity for professional engagement with the local community.