The brushstrokes of a talented prisoner are lighting up the walls of Mt Eden Prison.
A wall in the prison’s main unit now depicts fanciful scenes and characters inspired by the Lord of the Rings, while the outside of the chapel shines with painted stained glass windows set against ancient-looking stones.
The murals are the inspiration of Dave*, a prisoner who began by working for a Corrections’ Inmate Employment (CIE) general painting team.
“Dave went through the normal routine of induction and his first tasks were weeks of scraping, sanding and sweeping,” explains CIE Instructor Ian Parker. The prisoner then approached Ian with the idea of painting the chapel wall. “What transpired was a mural well-received by staff, visitors and other prisoners.”
After this first success, and with the support of staff, Dave embarked on a more ambitious project to paint a mural inspired by the Lord of the Rings on a 24- metre-long, three-metre-high wall. Staff got on board and brought in books, posters and cuttings for the prisoner to use as resources. After seven months of work the mural, which cost no more than the price of the paint, was completed mid- 2005.
Ian says painting the murals sparked a positive transformation in Dave. “He’s a completely different character and he’s changed his view of the world. He now believes he’s got a path he can travel as a non-criminal.”
Post-murals Dave has begun painting canvases. These caught the eye of an art gallery which has offered to exhibit his work when he is released. Recently the prisoner donated several paintings to a charity raffle.
Now there are plans afoot for Dave to brighten up the prison’s medical yard with a mural of New Zealand scenery.
“He’s made a huge difference at Mt Eden with his wonderful artwork,” says Ian.
*Not the prisoner’s real name
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ISSN 1178-8453