South Eastern Education & Library Board
Title: Exterior Interior
Artform: Visual – Silk Screen Prints
Organisation: Hydebank Young Offender’s Centre, The Probation Board, Prison Arts Foundation
Creative Partners: Colin McGookin Visual Artist
Participants: 20 students 16 - 25yrs

Synopsis: This application to the Action Zone Programme for Creative Youth Partnerships SEELB was made by the Education Officer in Hydebank Young Offender’s Centre. This project was drafted specifically to engage male inmates. It is a visual arts project which focuses on traditional drawing and painting techniques.

Background: The aim of this project was to engage the inmates of Hydebank Young Offender’s Centre in a creative arts project which would challenge their artistic ability and promote participation in the creative arts. The objective of this project was to attempt to raise levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. Many of the inmates would experience poor self-esteem due to the nature of their placement. The art work which was produced during the residency was placed in a central location in Hydebank Young Offender’s Centre and is a lasting reminder and encouragement to the inmates of the effort which they have made during the duration of this project. There was also an emphasis on improving an institutionalised environment in Hydebank by creating art works which reflected the commitment which the inmates have shown to the project.

Artist in Residence: CYP artist Colin McGookin was engaged in this project and work very closely with the inmates. All the participants were male. Colin focused on basic drawing skills and painting techniques and encouraged the participants to share their ideas to create two large silk screen prints. The first image focuses on people who have offered a strong role model to the inmates. The second silk screen depicts a motor cycle travelling at speed. Again, particular role models formed the focus of the print. A strong sense of achievement was conveyed both by the Prison Officers, the Education Officer and the inmates.

Exhibition: The two silk screen banners have been placed in a central location in the education unit of Hyde Bank Young Offender’s Centre. It is hoped that their presence will offer encouragement to the inmates to participate in other creative arts projects.