The Big IssuesWorkshops at Watts Gallery 2008

The Big IssuesThe Big Issues - Workshops 2008

Watts Gallery working in partnership with HMP Send, Surrey Youth Justice Service

and Street Level Arts

Published by Watts Gallery

Watts GalleryDown LaneComptonGuildfordSurreyGU3 1DQ www.wattsgallery.org.uk01483 810235

Edition of 500 copies

The Big Issues Workshops are supported by

Project Co-ordinated by Helen Hienkens-LewisHead of Learning Position supported by the Peter Harrison Foundation

Design and Editing by Andrew ChurchillMarketing ManagerPosition supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

With thanks to:Miranda Ash, Sharon Blanch, Lyn Cannon, Sandy Curry, Donna Drummond, Kelly Giles, Leanne Grindal, Anna Hawtree, David Knight, Tom O’Neill, Adrienne Roberts, Neil Sherlock, Jane Sleap, Martina Spence, and Kevin Wells.

All images and text © the artistsG. F. Watts images © Watts Gallery, Compton

All rights reserved. No part of this catalogue may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owners.

Directors Foreword

The Big Issues project was a natural evolution of Watts’s belief in Art for All. G. F. Watts and his second wife, Mary Seton Watts, believed passionately in the transformational impact of art and they supported the efforts of the famous social reformer Canon Samuel Barnett in the East End of London. Mary Watts started pottery classes at St Jude’s Whitchapel for shoeblacks.

Watts wrote “The aims of art are not different from the aims of life in general, which should be to add as much as possible to the good of the world (the contentment and advantage of others)”.

With this in mind the scheme of taking the Watts collection of art and ideas to young offenders, women prisoners and the homeless was entirely in line with Watts’s vision and only made possible through the generous support of The Fenton Arts Trust which has supported our artist in residence and the KPMG Foundation who has made The Big Issues project possible.

We are delighted to engage with new audiences in this way and bring first-time visitors to Watts Gallery on a journey which inspires us and provides unique insights to us as well as the participants.

Perdita Hunt, Director of Watts Gallery

Principal Supporters Introduction

That greatest of liberal philosophers John Stuart Mill famously wrote in On Liberty that, "the worth of a State in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it." In many ways this could be the guiding light of the KPMG Foundation with our mission to help tackle social and educational disadvantage amongst younger people, not least those who have offended. There is too much evidence that prisons and offending institutions - given the enormous pressure they are under - struggle to provide the transformational education experience that can make a real difference.

It was against this context that the Trustees of the KPMG Foundation were so excited by the ideas that Perdita and Helen presented to us from Watts Gallery. Working with Tom O'Neill they devised the

idea of a workshop where young offenders would express themselves through art and be mentored to be themselves. It is inspirational to see this in action, as I have done, to observe the thought of the young people and the dedication of the staff.

Changing individuals, changes lives and changes communities. Watts Gallery can be proud of the start it has made in changing the life chances of the young people who have taken part in The Big Issue Workshops. Neil SherlockTrustee and Vice ChairmanKPMG Foundation

Introduction

This new project underpins Watts Gallery’s community learning programme, providing groups with an opportunity to work with an artist using the ideas and themes of G.F. Watts and the Watts Chapel. During 2008, a series of workshops were delivered working in partnership with HMP Send and women prisoners, Surrey Youth Justice Service and young offenders and Street Level Arts, a homeless group based in Guildford, which includes people with mental health problems and reformed drug users.

Each series of The Big Issues workshops started by introducing members to the work of G.F. Watts and Watts Gallery. G.F. Watts painted a small group of works that address issues such as homelessness, the exploitation of women and poverty. These themes provided an opportunity for participants to explore their issues through art and discussion. A visit to the Watts Chapel provided a very strong visual resource and creative starting point for the Street Level Arts Group. This was followed by an opportunity for participants to paint, draw, sculpt or make photographs based on themes that inspired them, with the support of an artist. Just a few of the images that inspired this project are illustrated on the inside cover and back cover of this publication.

The workshops reached over 35 participants and has had real life changing effects ranging from young offenders re-engaging in education, though to prisoners using the creation of art as a new focus in their lives.

With the creation of new working partnerships through this project, the Gallery has gained a real insight into working with prisoners, young offenders and the homeless.

Helen Hienkens-LewisHead of Learning at Watts Gallery

HMP Send is closed female training prison, which provides a supportive environment for prisoners to explore and change behaviours relating to their offending.

Street Level Arts is a Guildford based art group for people living in temporary accommodation, rough sleepers, reformed drug users and those with mental health problems.

Surrey Youth Justice Service aims to prevent offending by young people aged 10-17.

Left: The Pink Sari by Linda, 2008

Photograph and photo-collage by Shaun, after The Ionides Family by G. F. Watts, 1841-42

This has been an exciting partnership between the staff and artists at Watts Gallery and the staff and young people of Surrey Youth Justice Service.

Watts Gallery has welcomed young people between the ages of 13-17 and introduced them to some of the art and history in their county. They have had the opportunity to produce individual works of art in a variety of media and in the relaxing and fascinating environment of a working gallery. For many of the young people this was a new experience and one they responded to well and from which they benefitted enormously.

These benefits include developing their art skills with one-to-one guidance of staff and artists, some have gone on to use this in their GCSE art work or to help inform their GCSE choices. Self-esteem has been raised as they made discoveries, worked with new materials and people and gained in confidence.

The impressive sculptures by Watts inspired many of the participants to take unusual photos which then became an integral part of their artwork. It was exciting for them to experience this fusing of the traditional and modern and for Youth Justice Service staff to experiment with new ways of teaching, thinking and learning.

The welcoming environment and the support of staff and artists has truly enabled young people in Surrey to identify untapped potential and develop their skills. Hopefully in the future they will return to the gallery independently and enjoy other cultural activities available to them.

Surrey Youth Justice Service WorkshopsSelf-esteem, discoveries and untapped potential

Leanne Grindal, Surrey Youth Justice Service

HMP Send WorkshopsSome Light In The Dull Grey Prison World

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the Watts Gallery art project. It has been a fantastic experience meeting such wonderful, talented, caring and motivational people who have worked so hard to ensure that I have had all the creative tools and atmosphere to inspire me to produce some enlightening pieces of artwork. It has been an entertaining and yet productive experience and I feel privileged to have been a part of this ground-breaking scheme which has brought some light into the dull grey prison world.

I am certain that Watts the artist, would have been delighted to see such a brilliant scheme taking place under the auspices of the Gallery he set up. From the initial chat through to developing the work and leading onto the finished pieces, I have felt supported and encouraged throughout. It has been great being part of such a tremendous team of women and I feel that women’s creative voices, which have been silenced for so long, are at last able to speak out and be heard.

The themes covered by Watts and alluded to in our work are issues that face us all at one stage or another in our lives and through these, are able to transcend the ordinary to produce extraordinary pieces of work. Such a positive experience opportunity can only motivate us further and spill over to other areas of our lives as our sensations become tuned in to the creative buzz. I hope this is the first of many opportunities to work with the Watts Gallery team and I wish to thank them and all those who have funded the project for allowing us the chance to be part of such a brilliant scheme.’

Clare - Participant

“It’s a chance of a life time – I hope I have an opportunity to continue, as Sandy being

my mentor is invaluable. Art is my passion and this project

has given me the opportunity to produce some wonderful art – help make the sentence a little bit less stressful.” Jasmine

Left: Individuality by Clare, 2008 Above: It’s all too much to bear by Alicia, 2008,after Song of the Shirt by G. F. Watts, 1850

‘When I started this project and saw the quality of Watts and Sandy’s work I thought ‘oh shit, I’m in the wrong place – I can never produce work like that’. In the first session we all did a collage which I was very slow at and hardly covered half the paper. Then when it came to finding something to paint it was panic stations all over again as I desperately looked around for inspiration. I based my picture on an image from a magazine and was really pleased with the end product. Most of the work was done in my cell which was awkward but still very enjoyable, relaxing and sometimes stressful! I’m very grateful to Sandy and all at Watts Gallery for giving us their time, patience, materials and this great opportunity to have our work displayed and hopefully enjoyed! Thanks.’

Siwan - Participant

‘I have been impressed and inspired at how the participants rose to the challenge to create a body of work to exhibit, a daunting task for any artist! They have shown courage in their willingness to address subjects that expose their inner most thoughts or feelings and have been bold in their attempt to express their inner voice. The support they showed to each other, openly offering feed back and understanding, has given us all a creative dialogue which has been very rewarding for me. This project has had a big impact on the prisoners’ self-esteem, and with encouragement and the opportunity to exhibit their work can only lead them to positive new directions in life.’

Sandy Curry, Workshop LeaderThe Fenton Arts Trust Artist in Residence at Watts Gallery 2006-07

“After being on this project over a period of months – I have found it to be an

uplifting experience” Alicia

Left: Hope by Jasmine, 2008, after Hope by G. F. Watts, 1885-6Top right: Untitled by Siwan, 2008Bottom right: Till Death by Jasmine, 2008, after Found Drowned by G. F. Watts, c. 1848-50

‘I have been studying art in prison for a few years now which, at times, can be a solitary experience; especially if you are doing a ‘distance learning’ course like I am – where the only contact you have with your tutor, is via the post! To be given the opportunity to join in with the Watts Gallery art project has been a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience for a number of reasons. I found that by looking at images of the art and sculpture that George Frederic Watts did, as well as being able to paint on canvas for the first time in my life, has been really inspiring for me. The ‘emotions’ that are captured in the expression of the eyes – as well as the body language of the people that Watts painted, gave me fresh ideas of what I wanted to draw and paint in order to share my thoughts, feelings and style of art with others. The artist Sandy and the other ladies who work at Watts Gallery who have shared the benefits of their experience with all of us at HMP Send have been really encouraging and made me feel ‘special’ once again, which is something to be treasured, as it doesn’t happen that often in prison as a rule. It also shows me that there are people ‘out there’ who care enough about people in prison to give us an opportunity to prove that we can respond favourably if given some encouragement and financial backing to show what we are capable of producing. To the sponsors and all the people at Watts Gallery, who have given me the opportunity to participate in such an excellent art project, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.’

Alicia - Participant

“To be able to paint in my own style and know that my work

will be exhibited (at some point next year) in a gallery, is an

exciting prospect for me – as I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Alicia

Left: Ancient Wisdom by Linda, 2008 Top right: Harmony by Carmell, 2008

Street Level Arts WorkshopsCreative arts as a tool to aid recovery and rehabilitation

Watts Gallery organised a series of workshops over summer 2008 in collaboration with local ceramic artist, Adrienne Roberts. Typically there were six to nine members present at each session. Group members had the opportunity to visit Watts Gallery and Watts Chapel to learn about the history of pottery making locally and gain inspiration from the collection.

Adrienne Roberts then provided five workshops on Monday evenings at Guildford Community Centre. Group members learnt about the importance of setting up and planning materials, the basic techniques of pottery making and gained further inspiration from Adrienne’s insights. Each workshop provided an educational as well as social opportunity where people could spend time learning a new skill as well as relaxing, socialising and sharing their experiences with fellow group members. This helped to reduce feelings of isolation often experienced by people whose lives are restricted by mental health challenges, substance abuse and homelessness.

The project enabled us to forge and strengthen relationships with the wider artistic community in Guildford that will continue to grow. We now have a number of group members who would like to take part in pottery classes on a regular basis and are considering taking adult education classes locally subject to the availability of finance. We have raised awareness of the importance of creative arts as a tool to aid recovery and rehabilitation.

Adrienne worked sensitively to engage every individual group member in the workshop and encouraged them to participate and contribute to the sessions. The opportunity to try new things and learn about the different techniques of pottery making was particularly welcomed. This led to discussions on pottery, art and an exchange of ideas between members which helped to improve communication skills, confidence and self-esteem.

We are extremely grateful to Watts Gallery for providing this project which has helped make a real difference in the lives of people living in Guildford and those disadvantaged by mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness.

Miranda Ash Street Level Arts Co-ordinator

“I liked the way we sat around a big table together.

It helped me to get to know new members more easily and learn

from each other.”

Above: Untitled by John, 2008

“I never thought I was capable of making something in clay. At school I was told I was

useless at art, but since participating in Street Level Art Group and the pottery

classes, I have learnt that I am a better artist than I thought.

It has helped me to feel better.”

Above Untitled by Brian, 2008 Right: The Boat by Graham, 2008

‘I was delighted to learn that one of the members felt that the project had started a new focus and “new beginning” for him and his passion for art. Some time ago he had been an art student on a course which he had been unable to finish. He told me that this had given him a new focus, he was clearly very inspired.

It was very pleasing to see the group so engaged in the project and I think they got a lot out of it because various technical processes were worked through, which helped to achieve a good end result. They particularly enjoyed the new experience of working with the plasticity of the clay and experimenting with texture and pattern. As there were several workshops this enabled members to embrace the work in more depth and get a feel of continuity.’

Adrienne Roberts, Workshop Leader