| Works of art, craft and literature
by a number of Northern Ireland prisoners
are currently on show in Enniskillen
in a new exhibition, entitled 'Captivating',
which was officially launched last
Friday evening by Brian Keenan.
A large gathering attended the
preview opening night of Captivating,
which is being staged at 35 East
Bridge Street until next Saturday,
October 30.
The ongoing exhibition, which was
launched by the Prison Arts Foundation
in association with Fermanagh District
Council, is expected to travel throughout
the Province and potentially to
America.
The exhibition was in attendance
on Friday, selected over 50 pieces
of work from political and ordinary
prisoners, some of whom have now
been released.
She commented that she approached
her visits to the prisoners and
their discussions on the exhibition
"from the point of view of
artist to artist."
"I was interested in the processes
they used and the personal journey
they took to express themselves
in an artistic format," said
Amanda, adding that "for many,
using art was the first opportunity
they have ever had to look inside
themselves."
Mike Moloney, Prison Arts co-ordinator,
pointed out that within prison they
are "using art as one tool
to help prisoners address themselves
and in so doing, the actions which
caused their incarceration."
"The exhibition is an attempt
to show the community the work that
goes into being able to face the
outside world again," said
Mr. Moloney.
He added: "The photographic
representation of the artists' hands
beside each piece of work demonstrates
character, work and creativity as
the real identity of the person.
This helps us and them look to the
future and live with the past."
The Chairman of Fermanagh District
Council, Mr. Paddy McCaffery, welcomed
guests to the opening of the exhibition,
which he said has been organised
jointly by the Council and the Prison
Arts Foundation.
Mr. McCaffrey, who thanked the
Foundation for its help, said that
this exhibition will give the people
of Fermanagh and farther afield
"the opportunity to gain some
insight into the very high standards
of creativity demonstrated in the
pieces of art and craftwork on display.."
"This exhibition creates an
opportunity for prisoners to display
their talents through the medium
of self expression," said Mr.
McCaffrey.
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