The Cards That Communicate course was delivered to a group of inmates at HMP Isis Young Offenders Institute.
It comprised 8 weekly 2-hour taught classes, that introduced the group to the idea of creating physical postcards to express their thoughts and ideas. As the participants had no experience of creating artefacts, the sessions involved practical exercises in simple drawing, mark-making and collage techniques.
The group was also introduced to a range of artists and designers whose work had relevance to the inmates’ lived experiences. Each participant was given a creative kit of essential tools so that they could continue working in their cells. The classes were delivered by a core team, involving invited creative practitioners.
The overall ambition of the course was to encourage the men to send hand-made cards to their loved ones. However, the concept of sending hand-crafted items by post was something that the inmates found challenging and would require more in-depth tuition. Their feedback led us to explore digital alternatives focusing on personal brand identities, that more reflected their personal interactions.
Lessons and materials
- A creative kit of approved art materials was handed out to all participants, to enable independent cell-based working.
- Weekly skills-based ‘how to’ tutorials and introductory ‘ice-breaking’ group exercises.
- Short presentations showcasing relevant, ‘relatable’ art and design outputs.
- Talks by invited creative practitioners including artists, designers and performers.
Outcomes
A series of postcards co-created by inmates during the course that were featured in the Making Time exhibition.
Huren Marsh, who was part of the core teaching team with Palmer, Allum and Gamman, also created a furniture/product design output, to demonstrate how HMP Isis could enable inmates to access safe paper and cardboard cutting tools in prison classrooms, rather than plastic ‘safety’ scissors, which restricted their outcomes.