Rugby Reimagined: Landmarks & Lines, running from 18-28 February at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum in the Balcony Gallery, is the culmination of a series of creative workshops between Brink Contemporary Arts and a group of eight men from HMP Onley Prison, a Category C training prison.
In collaboration with Rugby Borough Councils Parks team, the talented men at HMP Onley Prison and Brink Contemporary Arts, the project included the refurbishment of park benches and the creation of artificial wildlife habitats. During these activities, inmates expressed an interest in pursuing art as a subject. Sketching materials and creative prompts were provided, enabling them to explore the architecture and heritage of Rugby.
As the partnership between Rugby Borough Council, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum and HMP Onley Prison developed, conversations with the men revealed an interest in Street Art. This led to an additional project focused on designing artwork for a railway bridge walkway. This project is in progress and is due to be completed later this year.
Morgan Sindall provided essential funding and commissioned Brink Contemporary Art to support the delivery of this project. Founded by Tim Robottom in 2010, Brink Contemporary Art is a Midlands-based organisation that creates high-quality Street Art and murals.
The project has produced contemporary works inspired by Rugby’s landmarks. It was decided that the striking architecture of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum would translate well with the bold lines of street art and illustration. Local artist, Luke Spate, supported the men to develop their canvases.
Participants embraced a "street illustration" aesthetic. Using a toolkit of paint markers and graphic fine liners, the men reinterpreted Rugby Art Gallery and Museum through a contemporary lens. As spray paint, the traditional medium of street art is restricted within the prison environment, the group developed a unique illustrative style characterised by bold outlines, high-contrast colours, and meticulous attention to detail.
Rehabilitation through creativity participation offers more than just artistic instruction. Over the course of the project, the men developed a set of transferable professional skills, including:
Technical Proficiency: Mastering painting and visual storytelling
Professional Discipline: Working to a strict design brief and meeting exhibition deadlines
Identity and Growth: Building self-esteem and reshaping personal identity through the successful completion of a public-facing project
This initiative seeks to strengthen ties between HMP Onley Prison and the Rugby community. By focusing on the town's physical landmarks, the artists have engaged with the world outside the prison gates. Art-based initiatives can support individuals envision a positive, non-offending future by proving they have a valuable contribution to make.
Cllr Maggie O’Rourke, Rugby Borough Council’s Labour group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for collaboration and creativity with HMP Onley Prison. Our work together has enabled meaningful creative projects to take place across Rugby. We are proud to be hosting this exhibition as a celebration of that partnership.”
Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “This initiative has developed new skills, inspired creativity and has introduced more art to Rugby. I hope we find more street art opportunities for Onley Prison to get involved in soon. Visit the exhibition and enjoy the work on display.”
Luke Spate, local Artist, said: “The response from the men has been positive and focused. Some real creative minds in that diverse group and for a lot of them saying "I don't do art" initially, they are now “doing art” well.”
Quotes from artists at HMP Onley Prison:
“I found the project therapeutic, it was enjoyable.”
“Really positive experience.”
“I did not know I could do art before this.”
The exhibition runs from 18-28 February and is free to enter.