Arts by Offenders:
The Co-operative Koestler
Exhibition for the North West

10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday
24 February – 16 March 2010
Admission free

Holden Gallery
Manchester Metropolitan University
Cavendish Street (off Oxford Road), Manchester M15 6BR
www.holdengallery.mmu.ac.uk

The Koestler Trust is holding its first exhibition for entrants from the North West of England.

Arts by Offenders is an exhibition of artwork produced in prisons, special hospitals and by people on probation in the North West. The exhibition will include around 100 examples of painting, sculpture, photography, poetry, and creative writing selected from the region’s entries to the 2009 UK Koestler Awards.

As well as the chance to have work exhibited in a beautiful, central Manchester gallery, the area’s entrants  will be eligible for new regional awards: The Co-operative Koestler Awards for the North West. The judging panel for the awards is made up of experts from the area, who have generously given their time to nominate works for awards and provide feedback to the entrants. This year’s panel includes:

Jason Boothroyd Divisional Leader, Arts and Creative Crafts, The Manchester College
John Hyatt Director, Manchester Institute for Research and Innovation in Art and Design
Jane Linden Programme Leader MA Contemporary Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University and Gallery Curator: The Open Space - Alsager Art Centre
Brenda Parkerson Regional Director, Arts and Business North
Sandra Martin Principal Curator of Fine Art, Manchester Art Gallery
Kate Farrell Curator of Special Exhibitions, The Lowry
Aileen McEvoy Regional Executive Director, Arts Council England, North West
John Siddique Poet and author
Terry Fox Cheshire Poet Laureate
Andy Donegan Author and  past winner of The
Co-operative North West Prisoners' Art and Writing Competition
Kevin Gopal Editor, The Big Issue in the North

As part of the award selection process, visitors will also be invited to vote for and leave comments on their favourite piece of work, with the top three works receiving Audience Choice Awards

Exhibition tours:
During the exhibition the Koestler Trust will conduct free exhibition tours. Meet in the gallery at 2pm on Saturday 6 and Saturday 13 March 2010. No booking necessary.
Click here for press release.
For further information on the exhibition please contact our Touring Exhibitions Co-ordinator Sarah Grainger-Jones.
The Co-Operative
Generously supported by

ICA Lower Gallery with "Madonna and Child" (HMP Dovegate)
Assorted Personalities. Anon.
HM Prison Forest Bank

ICA Concourse with "Black History (HMYOI Feltham)
Prism Negative 1. Lee Timperley.
HM Prison Preston


Pad Mate Portrait. Thomas Bowen.
HM Prison Liverpool


Shadow in the Light. Jason Bolton.
HM Young Offenders Institution
Lancaster Farms


Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Paul M'Kali. The Spinney