Around 60 pieces of art, including intricate carvings and detailed sculpture have been selected for the InsideOut exhibition which opens on 13 June at the Mairangi Arts Centre.
The works, which have been created by prisoners from Paremoremo (Auckland Prison) and the Northern Region Corrections Facility (based in Kaikohe) also include two 1.2m x 2.4m carved panels. These impressive panels will be donated to the Sir Peter Blake Marine and Education Centre (MERC) in Long Bay and Massey University’s Albany Campus.
North Shore City Council Deputy Mayor, Julia Parfitt, is delighted that the exhibition is being hosted on the Shore and that local community groups are being gifted these major artworks.
“The carved pieces going to the North Shore sites are fantastic and incredibly professional and, I’m sure, will enrich those organisations receiving them. It’s great that out of something negative, something positive can be achieved and that these prisoners have this opportunity to give back to society,” says Councillor Parfitt.
In giving back to society, charity organisations which have yet to be confirmed, will also receive the proceeds raised as part of the exhibition which has a strong Maori and Pacific Island focus.
Mairangi Arts Centre Manager, Ellie Drummond, is also pleased the North Shore is getting the opportunity to see the prisoner’s art.
“These works are of a very high standard and I’m sure people will be impressed and find some stunning and unique pieces that they’d like to own. All the works are original and not mass produced and some of the works are carved from 45,000 year swamp Kauri and are just beautiful,” says Ms Drummond.
The exhibition’s artworks have been created as part of the Art In Prisons programme, a nationwide project, which encourages prisoners to use art as a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool.
Many of the prisoners who are taking part in the programme are also up-skilling and completing diplomas in art. The proceeds raised will be announced at the end of the exhibition. The exhibition is sponsored and supported by the North Shore City Council, the Mairangi Arts Centre and Creative NZ.
- Venue: Mairangi Arts Centre, 20 Hastings Road, Mairangi Bay, North Shore City
- When: 13-27 June 2010
- Free entry
- Most artworks will be for sale and sell for between $100 - $4,000
