Submitted by Matt Skipper on Fri, 26/07/2019 - 12:02
The Mural was commissioned to mark the Institute Of Criminology’s 60th Anniversary since it was established by Professor Radzinowicz in 1959.
Following an Artist Residency in HMP Whitemoor last summer where I worked on murals in two areas, the Fens Unit & CSC, the Institute's Sunken Garden mural concept developed. I had spent 100hours working with the men over 12 weeks and with a small group of them during their therapy break painted tree trunk and branches; then we invited the wing to create the canopy of leaves with their hand prints. As many of the researchers at the IOC work in Whitemoor, it seemed appropriate to create a sister mural in a disused area of the building which until now had born a striking resemblance to a segregation exercise yard.
On the Sidgwick site, in front of the IOC are planted a series of Silver Birch trees, so taking that theme I painted the trunks and branches and invited all people present in the building to create the canopy of leaves with their finger prints. As each did so, I took a photo of them from behind (with consent) and have created the above montage, which captures the development.
- Rebecca Greene