Yesteryears fears

Having spent the vast majority of my life incarcerated in one institution or another with the one single consistency I’ve observed in the men I’ve served time with is that a huge percentage of them have also spent an inordinate amount of time ensconced in the system from a very young age. Most seem to have experience of approved schools, kids homes, secure units and almost all have similar life stories relating to trauma, abandonment, neglect, molestation and any other childhood abuse you care to think about. By producing this series of drawings I’m not attempting to justify the choices these men have made in their lives I’m offered insight into where historic damage done inevitably leads.

damage done

Graphic pen on a printed background, A3 heavy weight cartridge paper.

Having spent the vast majority of my life incarcerated it no longer surprises me when I hear the backstories of the men I’m serving time with. This isn’t an attempt to justify or excuse the choices and actions we’ve taken rather to highlight there’s often a reason why so many men of the same ilk end up becoming disturbed violent perpetrator of crime. I chose this particular composition after coming across an old cell card one day, no longer in use now but a stark reminder of the totalitarian system that speaks in absolutes. Just as a man is reduced to nothing more than a number, these cards would be on display outside of your cell declaring for all to see who this man is. Murderer, Sentence: life. Special notes: 4 man unlock, just in case the word murderer didn’t give you a heads up that behind this locked door is a dangerous animal. Using images of different children in states of distress I thought to imply that every man is somebody’s child and from the multitude of men I’ve met and listened to over the years, there’s always been a reason why.

Line and wash over an archive of a boy who stole some ‘growing’ gooseberries. Also detailed on this document are his previous punishments…whipped!!

Drawn on old cell cards.

CAMEL

GIRAFFE