'BEHIND BARS'

John Dawson & Hilary Beauchamp

In this collaborative exhibition, John Dawson's finely-thrown porcelain forms are decorated with paintings and drawings from a book by Hilary Beauchamp. The pieces draw from both Dawson and Beauchamp's first hand experiences whilst teaching at Holloway Women's Prison, London. The work allows a unique insight into the inmates' activities and bridges the gap between craftsmanship and fine art.

Each object makes a powerful, dark, yet sometimes humorous statement about the realities of life inside the infamous women's prison. It also provides a rare opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse of the goings on inside this covert female institution.

The powerful dichotomy between the delicate ceramics and the unashamedly brash and shocking drawings provides an interesting and arresting contrast.

The show will include ceramics in varying sizes, alongside a selection of Beauchamp's original works on paper.

Sye Williams, Gunnar Knechtel, Hugh Elphick

BEHIND BARS explores life on the “inside” with a photographic group show. Three artists come together to offer a unique glimpse into the coveted world behind prison walls.

Knechtel’s images, taken within one of Spain’s most forward-thinking prisons, Madrid VI, allow us a rare glimpse into the living spaces of a baby and parent unit. American photographer, Sye Williams, takes us inside California’s Valley State prison for women.

Meanwhile, Hugh Elphick traces the boundaries of London’s Victorian prisons and the spaces they inhabit within our community.

September 17th - October 21st 2011
Design Festival Party September 22nd 6:30-9:30pm
Opening times Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am-4pm