I was always drawing as a kid, and when the opportunity came up to do an art course at age 17 I went for it. Twenty-three years later with multiple certificates and a degree in Maori Visual Arts, I decided to do one more course: Level 3 Cooking and Hospitality.
And ever since then I have never come back to art. Another 20 years passed cooking as a pro chef in New Zealand and Australia, till I was arrested a year ago. Coming into prison not knowing what my future was going to be, all I could do was train every day, until I saw another inmate drawing. Then I remembered I know how to draw.
So I started sending drawings home to my partner – she has over 300 drawings to date.
Eventually I started turning the drawings into cards with a bar code on the back with my min number.
Eventually other inmates wanted cards as well, which I was always happy to do. During this time, the chef at work asked if I wanted to paint on the wall and do a mural. Then I was asked to do all four PODs and then the clinic.
The paintings are of Australian animals and landscapes – as well as an ANZAC memorial in every POD. I think this is an awesome representation of all nations, which I am not only privileged to do but grateful for, with the opportunities it has given me and other inmates.
I have just given drawings to the chapel and will continue if I am sentenced to more time or I am to be deported back to New Zealand. No matter which way this goes, I will continue to draw and paint murals in or out of prison.
Until then, I will draw my way out of prison.
I was always drawing as a kid, and when the opportunity came up to do an art course at age 17 I went for it. Twenty-three years later with multiple certificates and a degree in Maori Visual Arts, I decided to do one more course: Level 3 Cooking and Hospitality.
And ever since then I have never come back to art. Another 20 years passed cooking as a pro chef in New Zealand and Australia, till I was arrested a year ago. Coming into prison not knowing what my future was going to be, all I could do was train every day, until I saw another inmate drawing. Then I remembered I know how to draw.
So I started sending drawings home to my partner – she has over 300 drawings to date.
Eventually I started turning the drawings into cards with a bar code on the back with my min number.
Eventually other inmates wanted cards as well, which I was always happy to do. During this time, the chef at work asked if I wanted to paint on the wall and do a mural. Then I was asked to do all four PODs and then the clinic.
The paintings are of Australian animals and landscapes – as well as an ANZAC memorial in every POD. I think this is an awesome representation of all nations, which I am not only privileged to do but grateful for, with the opportunities it has given me and other inmates.
I have just given drawings to the chapel and will continue if I am sentenced to more time or I am to be deported back to New Zealand. No matter which way this goes, I will continue to draw and paint murals in or out of prison.
Until then, I will draw my way out of prison.
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GROW is a community-based national organisation that works on mental wellbeing using a 12-step program of personal growth, mutual help and support. It operates through weekly peer support groups.
Hello to everyone in Australia. My name is Tricia. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am serving a life sentence, and, for those of you who don’t know, a life sentence in Pennsylvania means your entire life.
In New South Wales, there were previously three levels of protective custody for vulnerable inmates, such as myself, who have autism spectrum disorder and other mental health issues.
I am writing to you about my one and only older sister, Alithea. RIP. It’s been 2 months since I lost you.
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Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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