Curated by a current prisoner at HMP Grendon, this showcase features artwork made by prisoners who participate in the Art at HMP Grendon programme.

Masks are seen throughout Dean Kelland’s exhibition at Ikon Gallery, used as both a practical means to anonymise participants and as a symbolic device. This selection of artwork follows the theme of ‘masking’, some literally, others referencing therapeutic practices employed by the prison, which aim to transform patterns of prisoner behaviour.

With special thanks to ‘B’, C wing resident, for curating this showcase.

The showcase is organised to coincide with Dean Kelland’s exhibition Imposter Syndrome (20 September – 22 December), the culmination of his four year artist’s residency at HMP Grendon, funded by the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust.

About Art at HMP Grendon

The Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust has funded Art at HMP Grendon since 2010. During this period, Ikon has managed two artist residencies – Edmund Clark (2014 – 2018) and Dean Kelland (2019 – 2023) – resulting in major exhibitions at Ikon Gallery and HMP Grendon. The residency runs alongside a public programme of research symposia and events at Ikon, allowing a platform for public discourse on the role of art in criminal justice. With a focus on the development of the prisoners’ artistic practice, Ikon has opened the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Studio at HMP Grendon – a dedicated space for workshops, in printing and painting, and a changing programme of exhibitions, art historical and contemporary. This space was made possible with the support of the Trust and the senior team at HMP Grendon.

About HMP Grendon

HMP Grendon is the only wholly therapeutic prison in Europe and is often considered the most researched prison in the world. It is a Category B prison which offers up to 232 prisoners intensive, daily therapy undertaken on one of its five democratically governed wings (or communities). Each community makes decisions for and by themselves, within a strict code of behaviour and accountability, instilling an ethos of social responsibility. The prison operates a psychodynamic model, which comprises daily group therapy, psychodrama and art therapy, conducted by leading therapists and forensic psychologists.