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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While being incarcerated, I have learnt how many members of the community are Deaf and have a lot of trouble communicating as very few people know how to use sign language.
When I get out I’m going to be hitting the gym but not sure if I’ll be taking steroids.
I just wanted to give a big shout out to the amazing people at the Salvation Army for everything that they do for us in prison and outside in the community over the Christmas period.
It’s a positive and strange feeling hearing your own story through the words of another and here was me thinking I was alone in my travels as many of us do.
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