Mauri Ora - one of the prisoner artworks that helped raise $30,000 for charity.
An auction of artworks created by South Island prisoners has raised over $30,000 for the Family Help Trust, which helps the children of at-risk families in Canterbury.
A hundred artworks went under the hammer in front of over 100 members of the public, 60 staff members and 15 of the artists at Christchurch Prison on May 4.
The main theme the artists considered for the event was the whakatauki (proverb) "strip away the sapwood so the heartwood remains". Thus, most of the works conveyed ideas such as the importance of whanau and friends, faith in God and matauranga Maori (a Maori cultural perspective).
"Prison has afforded me an opportunity to be still and work on me. I have hope. The whole dark vision of my future has gone," said one artist.
"The thing that motivates me to carve is to keep the culture and story that came with the carving alive, to give something back to the community, to set goals and achieve them, to pass on what I have learnt from other people and to teach," said another.
Public Prisons Service Southern Regional Manager Paul Monk says he was delighted to be part of the project.
"The project gave prisoners an incentive to produce impressive artwork. It also gave the prison the opportunity to make a contribution to a worthy community agency.
"Several prisoners told me that they never knew they had an artistic bone in their body until they came to prison, but they have discovered a real passion for art. Discovering a new talent, albeit in unusual circumstances, has to be a positive thing," says Paul.
Family Help Trust Director Libby Robins says the money raised will be put to good use.
"The money will be used for the core services of the Family Help Trust. We will continue to promote our preventative services to Canterbury families in high-risk situations," she says.
"The Family Help Trust would be very keen to see an auction of this kind run again, especially if it benefits prisoner motivation. Art is certainly an important part of rehabilitation."
Mask of Tane Mahuta - a piece of artwork that helped raise $30,000
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