So, it started out by accident. I exhibited my artwork in a gallery. By ‘artwork’ I mean attractive, commercial macro images of flowers on large canvases. The gallery I was exhibiting in also used art to rehabilitate young offenders and, having always been fascinated by people and looking for another challenge, I fell across this project. To be honest, I was sceptical that something like this could work – and curious. I wanted to see for myself, and I instinctively knew that others would be interested. So, I ended up taking my three children out of school during term-time to preserve our family holiday and spent the five weeks of the summer ‘shooting’ young offenders.
To say that it was difficult would be an understatement. It had all of the pressure of a wedding; not missing a minute. It had the physical pressure of looking at something hard – all day and every day. It had the difficulty of looking for an angle or story, and hardest of all, it had the emotional challenge of the role that I was playing as observer, not helper.
Technically, it was also tricky as I decided that I wouldn’t use flash, despite most of the interactions taking place indoors.
The kids (as I called them, though they were 14-18 years old) were streetwise, assertive, sometimes aggressive, definitely hostile and generally closed-off and shut-down. They had all been failed in some way and, alongside their criminal convictions, they carried this around with them. In the middle of the project, many of the kids went into a deep period of introspection and revealed a vulnerability that I just hadn’t predicted.
It took time to win their trust. A long time. And longer for their barriers to come down. I showed them that I wasn’t there to sensationalise them or to exploit them but to simply tell their stories. I developed my images and printed them overnight so that they could see them the next day. This showed them what I was doing and took away any suspicion. It also helped them as my photography was used as evidence in their workbooks of them doing their art projects.
The photography reflects their personal journeys, changing from black and white to colour as, in effect, they did. It also reflects my journey – as I began to see them not as young offenders but as young people.
They all gained an Arts Award at the end of the course, their literacy and numeracy increased considerably and all were markedly changed by the experience. On the last day, one lad brought in a bouquet to say thank you.
I can’t say that none of these kids will commit a crime again in the future, but I can say that all of these kids left feeling that they had one.
I have received a lot of interest in the project from the public and the media. Opinions are divided. Is this a case of ‘goodies for baddies’ or clever, constructive intervention in the lives of damaged children?
Only time will answer that one. The only thing that I can say is, to me, it seemed to work and I feel lucky to have been there to catch it on film.
35 of the 3,500 images Kirsteen shot will be exhibited at Project Space Leeds from 6th November to 11th December alongside some of the artwork that the young offenders created and a short film they made about the dangers of the drug – M-CAT. The gallery opens Wednesdays-Saturdays 12.00-5.00pm. You can see more of her imagery on kirsteenashton.com
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These photographs are truly powerful. They touched me deeply. As if the image, the light, at least for a second, embraced, hugged, these young lives. A wonderful example were an image is not mere surface. Great work indeed.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my account. I appreciate the kind comments that you have made.
Kirsteen
Dear Kirsteen
I am a Probation Officer in Hastings, East Sussex, and moved down to Brighton last year from my home town of Middlesbrough.
I have recently developed and delivered a pilot photographic project to selected individuals on my case load, and the outcome were awesome. I have now been given the go ahead by the Cheif Exec and Director to go ahead and do more, and in doing some research just now came across your site.
I am bowled over, delighted and emotional
to read your experience and belief in this kind of work compelled me to write to you.
My projects were originally designed and delivered for young people at risk of offending in local authority youth clubs and community orgs in Teesside. Like you I started my photographic business doing macro flowers etc, i used it to help me get through a difficult time in my life when my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
I have a blogspot (nothing flash) my time is taken up with probation work and my projects so havent updated it for ages.
If you want to get intouch please do, http://www.juliewrightphotographic.blogspot.com or email julieiswright@hotmail.com
I hope you dont mind but i would like to use your comments to add to the evidence I am gathering in respect of ‘this really works’ (not for all but definately for some). In regard to your question about rewarding bad behaviour, i most definately agree with ……. clever, constructive intervention in the lives of damaged children? It works with adults too
Very best wishes
Julie Wright
07708 626 514
If anyone wants to know more about this project, what it was like to shoot young offenders, and how creativity engaged them, I will be running a workshop tomorrow at Project Space Leeds, called ‘Power of the paintbrush/ Voice of the lens.’ I will be talking with Sue Ellis who ran the creative programme. 10-12pm. Free. Visit http://www.projectspaceleeds.org.uk for a map. All welcome