Art at HMP Grendon: Simon Harris Appointed Artist in Residence for 2024-2025
Ikon Extends Art Residency at HMP Grendon
Ikon is thrilled to announce the continuation of its Art at HMP Grendon residency for another three years, extending through 2026. Since 2010, this residency has been generously funded by the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust and managed by Ikon since 2014. Simon Harris, a renowned artist and printmaker, has been appointed as the new Artist in Residence for the 2024-2025 term, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to fostering artistic expression within the prison community.
Simon Harris: A Visionary Artist in Residence
Simon Harris, currently a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fine Art at the University of Wolverhampton, is set to embark on an 18-month residency at HMP Grendon. With a practice-based PhD titled Deleuze and Painting: Re-thinking the Formal, awarded in 2016, Harris brings a unique perspective to his work. His art spans printmaking, photography, and painting, often exploring the cinematic surface as an abstract image.
Harris has previously contributed to the HMP Grendon community, playing a pivotal role in establishing the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Studio within the prison. This studio has become a hub for creative activity, where Harris has trained community members in printmaking techniques through one-off workshops. Reflecting on his new role, Harris expressed his enthusiasm: “Having already worked with the prisoners at HMP Grendon, I have witnessed the impact that the art studio has on creative practice. I’m excited to continue engaging with the community and to develop our shared artistic practices within the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Studio. I also plan to create the largest painting ever made in a prison, drawing on my continued research into the critical theory of the image.”
The Impact of Art at HMP Grendon
The residency at HMP Grendon is more than an artistic endeavour; it is a transformative experience for the prisoners involved. As expressed by a community member from C wing, known as ‘B’: “Projects like this, where I’ve learned the benefits of being part of something bigger than the individual, taking responsibility and being encouraged to be the best version of ourselves, go a long way in challenging a man’s core beliefs. Working alongside these professionals has instilled a sense of self-worth I have never previously known within my years of incarceration. No longer the feral individual you wouldn’t want as a neighbour, I am now a man with hope for my future.”
In 2022, Ikon opened the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Studio at HMP Grendon, a dedicated art school-inspired space where prisoners and professional artists alike can create and exhibit their work. This space was made possible through the support of the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust and the senior team at HMP Grendon. Previous residents, including Edmund Clark (2014-2018), Dean Kelland (2019-2023), and James Lomax (2024), have all contributed to major exhibitions at Ikon Gallery. Simon Harris’ residency will be followed by a second 12-month residency starting in 2026, with the next artist selected by a panel that includes prison community members.
Richard Shuker, Head of Clinical Services at HMP Grendon, highlights the significance of this residency: “The residency has been able to produce something special. Not only has a community of artists come into being, but also a collaboration where everyone works together to create a meaningful experience. People become invested in working together to make the most of their time in prison, achieving something they take pride in, and making their time safe and purposeful.”
HMP Grendon: A Unique Therapeutic Prison
HMP Grendon, established in 1962, is a Category B prison and the only wholly therapeutic prison in Europe. It offers intensive daily therapy to up to 232 prisoners on one of its five democratically governed wings. Each community within the prison operates under a strict code of behaviour and accountability, fostering social responsibility among its members.
Prisoners at HMP Grendon are admitted on an application basis, with a six-month assessment period to determine their suitability. They must admit responsibility for their crimes, commit to a non-violent and drug-free regime, and participate in daily group therapy, psychodrama, and art therapy sessions led by top therapists and forensic psychologists. Studies show that those who complete at least eighteen months of therapy at Grendon are significantly less likely to re-offend upon release.
For More Information
For further details, press appointments, high-resolution images, or interview requests, please contact Rebecca Small at r.small@ikon-gallery.org or call Ikon at 0121 248 0708.
