Dawn Images

A three-day art exhibition titled Beyond the Bars: A Celebration of Hope and Creativity showcasing innovative artworks by talented inmates of Hyderabad Central Jail began at Besant Hall on Thursday.

The event aimed to highlight the creative talent of incarcerated individuals and promote rehabilitation through artistic expression within the prison system. It was organised by the jail administration in collaboration with the Pakistan Legal United Society (PLUS) and Besant Hall Cultural Centre.

Hyderabad DIG Prisons, who inaugurated the program, said the exhibition provided an outlet for the creative energy and potential of prisoners, who faced societal stigmatisation due to their detention, and created an exceptional opportunity for them to showcase talent and contribute positively to their own rehabilitation process.

He thanked the PLUS and Besant Hall Cultural Centre for providing prisoners an opportunity to express themselves artistically, and said the event was a testament to the belief that creativity knew no boundaries and even those behind bars were capable of producing meaningful and impactful art.

Sobhia Ali, director of Besant Hall, said that instead of calling them jail-prisoners the inmates should be acknowledged as creative prison-artists.

The exhibition featured over 50 pieces of art, primarily acrylic paintings on canvas, which included a diverse range of styles and subjects such as intricate calligraphy, natural-themed paintings and vibrant poster designs.

A Prisoners’ Art Corner had been set up at the hall where visitors could engage directly with artwork and its creators. “This space enables visitors to view art in a more intimate and personal manner while providing a means for inmates to receive feedback and appreciation for their work,” she said.

In addition, a “message wall” was erected where visitors could leave messages of hope, encouragement and support for the incarcerated artists. This feature, she explained, served as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion in the process of rehabilitation.

She said the event fostered a sense of community and mutual understanding, by allowing the public to actively participate in the exhibition, which reinforced the idea that even those who made mistakes in past could contribute meaningfully to society.

She said that the sale of artwork at the event played a central role in this objective. The sale proceeds would go directly to respective artists, providing them with financial support that could aid in their reintegration into society, she said.

She said that funds raised here would be used to support artists’ families, who often faced hardships as a result of their parents’ incarceration.

Originally published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024