Advertisement
Opinion

Art the hard way: The role of art in liberation and the transforming power of creation

This new exhibition illustrates the role that creativity can have in rehabilitation

This week I am opening my page up to an outburst of artfulness supplied by Brian Maguire, Sahaja Budzilla, Perry Wharrie, Paddy Maguire, Tam Carrigan, Louie Simpson, Danny Jones, Ax, Contra and Eddie Cahill. Ten artists who came by their art the hard way. An exhibition that breaks out of the usual mould. 

By Brian Maguire. Image: Rogues Gallery

Banged up in my teenage years, a new reader, buckling down to not running away again from a Young Offenders’ Institute, I discovered art – 62 years ago I swapped having no future other than wrongdoing to a future full of being creative. 

What a blast of common sense that was, not just for me but the screws and the custodial system who recognised that a painting, drawing boy was better than some arsehole planning his next escape. 

The last escape had ended in a car chase in a stolen Austin-Healey Sprite and a smash up at 87 miles an hour. A near-death experience and a night in Barking Creek nick ended the breakout that lasted 12 hours. 

But now I was drawing and painting and feeling useful and full of personal joy. I could make stuff that brought joy also to other people. It was as if I grew up and the place of punishment I had been sent to grew up at the same time. Therefore it was good to encourage offenders towards art and creativity and away from a kind of self-harming criminality. 

By Contra. Image: Rogues Gallery

The foundation stones were laid, and though I never became Britain’s new Francis Bacon or David Hockney I kept art uppermost in my life. I was civilised by it and became the useful person I hope I have become through it. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Come forward many decades when a family friend who himself has done more than his fair share of porridge alerts me to a group of painters, all who have done serious ‘bird’, who are having an exhibition. Given the chance to paint and draw and make stuff while inside, the artists are now continuing their passions.  

By Paddy Maguire. Image: Rogues Gallery

The Rogues Gallery is a pop-up gallery in East London’s Spitalfields, set up by the old lags to show their latest work. It runs for the whole of this week at 82 Commercial Street and is definitely worth dropping in. These reformed ‘rogues’ are selling their work and making their way in the profession of being artists. 

Art to me, and to the Rogues Gallery ensemble, is the great liberator. I enclose examples here of those that have through art turned their lives around. It’s a stunning show. I hope they do more like it and spread the word of rehabilitation through art. With the poor state of our prison rehabilitation programmes we need more of the transforming power of creation.  

Rogues Gallery runs until 29 September from 12-9pm at 82 Commercial Street. 

Big Issue is demanding an end to extreme poverty. Will you ask your MP to join us?

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us moreBig Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
'I will never forget the day it all changed': This is what life is like as an aid worker in Gaza
gaza in rubble
Salwa Al-Tibi

'I will never forget the day it all changed': This is what life is like as an aid worker in Gaza

Trump harnessed the power of angry young men – thanks to a brotherhood of online 'gurus'
Sam Delaney

Trump harnessed the power of angry young men – thanks to a brotherhood of online 'gurus'

Enslaved Africans put the 'great' in Great Britain. We must give them long overdue remembrance
Enslaved Africans Memorial campaigner Oku Ekpenyon
Oku Ekpenyon

Enslaved Africans put the 'great' in Great Britain. We must give them long overdue remembrance

Number of people turning to food banks is shocking – but it's the tip of the hunger iceberg
woman packing food parcels in food bank
Sabine Goodwin

Number of people turning to food banks is shocking – but it's the tip of the hunger iceberg

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue