ARR

<< Background >>The ARR-project invited prisoners to tell their story behind a physical scar. The objective was to callenge stigma connected to imprisonment. By exhibiting narratives from the prisoners, they were in charge of their own biography. The prisoners participating in the ARR-project represent a diverse group with different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Thus, their stories of scars represent the prison population in participant countries – Norway, Ireland and Malawi.Stories and photos of scars are processed into finished works by professional artists, in most cases, in collaboration with the prisoner until completion of the exhibited work. The prisoners were velcome to exhibit their contribution as a final work unedited by others. The ARR-project’s aspiration was to promote understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of creative arts amongst prisoners, that those visiting the exhibition will gain a greater understanding of the prison artists as ‘whole persons’ and not just prisoners. We hoped to lessen the stereotyping and stigma of imprisonment. The audience could come to understand that if we continue to judge people by ‘the worst thing they ever did’, then there is no possibility for personal growth, development, and change.<< Objectives >>To share examples of best practice in the teaching and learning of the creative arts in prisons internationally. To highlight and promote the creative work of our students and to acknowledge the work of our students and their teachers; and that those visiting the exhibition would gain a greater understanding of the prison artists as ‘whole persons’ and not just prisoners.To increase understanding and forge connections with colleagues and partners in prison Education Centres.<< Implementation >>Various projects on writing and narrating scar stories, audio recordings, graphical work, profile cutting, relief casting, production of plinths (carpenting and painting), rigging and guiding the exhibitions amongst other things.<< Results >>The ARR project has presented an amazing showcase for our students' work nationally and internationally. The ARR exhibition has sent a powerful message to our students that their work and their learning is important. It motivated our students to make their work high quality and showed them that they are capable of producing high-quality work and share that work beyond the prison. It motivated them to do their best, and take pride in their efforts. Furthermore, the stories have had great inpact on the audience. The tranquil atmosphere conveyed by the ARR installation has given the audience access to experience the stories on the narrator's terms. Many in the audience were touched, they wept, laughed and wondered as they wandered between the plinth scanning QR-codes. Likewise, the Silent Songs performance touched upon and emphasized the scar project's content and goals.