Beyond the Frame Eimear Marley, is an ongoing collaboration between Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Prison. Since November 2024, historian-curator Matt Ryan and artist-educator Daniel Sexton have participated in a series of workshops with a group of men who live in the prison. These sessions use the gallery's collection to stimulate discussion, debate, and creativity.The work and words in with // out were developed as part of this project. The exhibition responds to boundaries.
Boundaries between the here and the somewhere elsebetween the lived moment,
and past livesbetween who these men are now,
and other selvesbetween paths walked, and those not taken.
Beginnings
Unlocking Expression Imagine a space where the boundaries of confinement blur, replaced by the boundless possibilities of creation. This is the essence of "With // Out," a art exhibition born from a unique partnership between the Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Prison in Cork City. More than just a display of finished artworks, this project invites audiences to explore the profound journey of transformation that unfolds when art enters unexpected spaces. Since November 2024, male prisoners at Cork Prison have been engaging in an intensive series of art workshops. Matt Ryan, a historian-curator, and Daniel Sexton, an artist-educator, these sessions are designed to do more than teach artistic techniques. They aim to unlock new forms of expression and self-discovery, challenging participants to bridge the gap between their inner worlds and the realities of their lives. From the very first stroke, "With // Out" sets out to demonstrate how the creative process can redefine identity and connect individuals across otherwise insurmountable divides.Inspiration from the Crawford Art Gallery: A crucial element of this transformative journey has been the direct inspiration drawn from the collection of the Crawford Art Gallery. Before embarking on their own creations, the students were introduced to diverse artworks from the gallery's rich holdings. This exposure served to broaden their understanding of artistic possibilities, offering them a visual language and a historical context for their own creative explorations. Works ranging from traditional portraiture to contemporary abstract pieces provided a springboard for discussions and ignited their imaginations, showing them the power of art to communicate ideas, emotions, and personal narratives.The Workshops: Daniel and Matt's Collaborative Approach: The art workshops themselves are meticulously structured and facilitated by Daniel, the artist/teacher, and Matt, the historian/curator. Daniel brings his expertise in various artistic mediums and his passion for guiding creative expression, encouraging the participants to experiment and find their unique artistic voices. He introduces new techniques, provides individual feedback, and fosters an environment of artistic exploration and risk-taking. Concurrently, Matt, the historian/curator, enriches the sessions by providing historical and contextual insights into art. He connects the practical art-making to broader themes and movements, helping the students understand the significance of their own artistic endeavors within a wider cultural landscape. This collaborative approach ensures that the workshops are not just about producing art, but also about fostering a deeper appreciation for art history and its profound impact on human experience. Through this unique mentorship, the prisoners are not only developing artistic skills but also gaining a renewed sense of self-worth and a powerful means of communicating their stories to the world outside.
Middle
Unveiling Identity: The Process of Unveiling Within the unique and often challenging environment of these prison art workshops, a powerful transformation unfolds, not just on canvas, but within the participants themselves. At the heart of this project are the workshops, where guidance is drawn directly from the rich collections of the Crawford Art Gallery. This connection to established art history provides a foundation, prompting discussion and fostering a deeper understanding of artistic expression across various mediums.The act of creating art becomes a profound avenue for self-reflection and the exploration of identity. Participants are encouraged to delve into not just visual representation, but the emotional truth and personal narratives associated with their chosen subject matter. This might involve depicting a memory, a longed-for connection, an imagined future, or a feeling difficult to articulate in words.The process often begins with guarded interactions, as seen between a participant, referred to as Student 1, and the male Educator. Through persistent, respectful guidance, the Educator helps participants like Student 1 move beyond initial reservations. A pivotal moment often occurs when a student grapples with infusing their artwork with genuine feeling – perhaps recalling a specific memory or connection to their theme. This prompts a deeper dialogue, where the Educator encourages the artist to tap into their own emotional landscape, blending personal truth with their chosen medium. This intensive, collaborative approach allows the incarcerated artists to confront and transcend boundaries: those between their past and present selves, between confinement and freedom of expression, and between their inner world and its outward manifestation.
End / Exhibition
Echoes Beyond the Walls The culmination of these intense workshops is the "with // out" exhibition itself, a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for expression, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Each artwork on display is more than a piece of art; it is a profound narrative, a segment of a journey, and a bridge built between worlds. The exhibition vividly explores the central themes of boundaries: those between the present and other places, between lived moments and past lives, and crucially, between current and former selves. Through the diverse forms of art created by the male participants, visitors are invited to witness the raw honesty and transformative power that emerges when individuals are given the space and tools to create. The project demonstrates how art serves as a vital pathway for connection, understanding, and personal revelation, allowing voices that might otherwise remain unheard to resonate with profound meaning. "With // Out" ultimately serves as a poignant reminder that creativity knows no bounds, and that even within confinement, the human spirit can find extraordinary ways to flourish and connect.
With // Out Exhibition on Spike Island Cobh Cork.
Students/Prisoners Observations about standing in grass.
Students process corner
Credits:
Dorota Gubbins Curator Spike Island Cobh. Daniel Sexton Artist/Teacher Cork Prison. Matt Ryan Curator/Historian Crawford Art Gallery. For any enquiries about the Beyond the Frame Programme, please contact: Eimear Marley LearnAndExplore@crawfordartgallery.ie 021 - 490 7862