adelaide women’s prison > achievement, creativity, freedom
about
through textile arts and natural dyes w--m worked with women at the adelaide womens prison, australia, to revive and enhance their relationship to the environment, as well as the women’s personal sense of achievement, creativity and freedom.
sessions began with mindfulness and relaxation, then went into different techniques of colour making - with local ochres and plants, scrap metals and food ‘waste’.
together we discussed our connection to nature, each other and our potential for creativity. the women gained knowledge about biology, ecology and chemistry through the process of working with the plants and dye processes.
“I learned that everything around you, it can be used to make dyes, like flower bark, grass; it’s pretty much any plant can give you ...”
“a lot of people have never been involved in science you know, because they haven't been to school a great deal, but the science behind it is quite fascinating.”
participant insights
“i can create a colour which is amazing. it’s just like mind boggling.”
“it’s all natural and the environment that you’re in, it’s all calm and relaxed.
it’s just good…”
“i already know what i’ll be using the knowledge that i’ve learned for; (it will be) in terms of sustainability/environmentally aware(ness) and reconnection with my family by using what i've learned, taking the talents that i already have and bringing them together and teaching that on.
because that’s really important that i take something away from here to teach to my grandchildren for the future generations,
and that’s the power that i got from this.”
exhibit
> the women’s work was exhibited at the kerry packer civic gallery during the 2018 south australian living artists festival (sala) as part of an art by prisoners exhibition
partners
> university of south australia, match studio
> the department for correctional services, government of south australia
learn more
> read the research report by dr heather anderson and dr jane andrew on the ‘design & make pilot program’.