Biblical theme of art competition for prisoners

21 July 2010
Entries to the New Zealand Prisoner Art Competition close on Tuesday 31 August. This national art competition for prisoners has been organised by the Prison Chaplaincy Service Aotearoa New Zealand, working in partnership with Arts Access Aotearoa and the New Zealand Bible Society.

The theme is biblical. The works with be displayed in an exhibition and the winning entries will be published in a bible, which will be made available in New Zealand  prisons by the Bible Society.

The Prison Chaplaincy Service Aotearoa New Zealand (PCSANZ) will assist prisons with materials for prisoners who wish to enter the competition.
 
David Major, National Director of the Prison Chaplaincy Service Aotearoa New Zealand,  says the competition came about after the success of last year’s Prisoner Art Competition, which attracted 50 entries.

These entries were exhibited at St Paul’s Cathedral in Wellington and judged by a panel of artists, selected by Arts Access Aotearoa. Five selected artworks from New Zealand were entered into the international competition, held in Vienna, Austria.

Of these five works, two received additional recognition. Graham’s orange land and cityscape, described as a very skilled work, was among the top 70 works in the international exhibition. Desmond's heavily worked pencil drawing, featuring torn rose buds among the thorns, was highly commended. 

Marianne Taylor, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, says the competition provides something for the prisoners to work towards.

“It’s an opportunity for them to achieve success and have their work seen by others,” she says. “We’re delighted to be working with the Prison Chaplaincy Service and Bible Society on this initiative, and I’m looking forward to seeing the exhibition of the entries.”

Entries should be sent to the  Prison Chaplaincy Service Aotearoa New Zealand, Level 4, Southmark Building, 203 Willis Street, Wellington.