Urban Creations: Animation

 

HMP Barlinnie - 2010

Adults affected by mental illness

 

On the 8 July an exhibition showing the works created took place in the chapel at Barlinnie. The exhibition featured animation, sculpture, printed poetry, and visual art. Using visual art to stimulate thought and conversation relating to themes that had been raised through the process of exploring places and cities and life within them through a visual art medium. The impetus from which, acted as a catalyst for feeding the creative writing process to create scenarios that followed. Drama exercises were used to explore and promote team building and the formation of a collective identity. Trust exercises were utilised to foster confidence in individuals and to develop a group bond that encouraged participants to express their unique thoughts and ideas relating to the collective experience and the works created through the drama and creative writing process.

"I enjoyed the Drama and film with Hugh and audio with Rikki. Liked doing the painting with Rachel. Liked making story and animation. I would like to try something to do with computers. I liked taking part and it has helped my confidence and communication.

"Can’t see how sessions could be improved . I learned new skills in doing animation and working with lap top. It is Good Therapy. Brings you out your shell. Lots of the guys in here have problems. This art keeps you going and good my for communication and confidence. Better than sitting in cell alone. Bit of inspiration to carry on and another topic to think about."

“I really enjoyed the project, was shown how to work the camera, laptop and animate. This was something new. I found I had a natural ability."

"One of the things that surprised me was my leadership skills which I didn’t think I had, whereas, before I would have lost the place working with a group I kept calm and felt less stressed. I am definitely going to get help with finding a college course on release.”

“Making a story from haiku poems, a line of seven syllables, five then seven I never knew that.”