Koestler Arts

The UK's leading prison arts charity. We award, exhibit, sell & champion arts by prisoners, secure patients & detainees to help them transform their lives

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

It's loaf at first sight - this rose sculpture's petals are made from bread.🥖

Every year, we receive entries made from unusual materials, and bread seems to make recurring appearances!

[Artwork: Recycled Rose, HM Prison Wymott, Bronze Award for Sculpture, 2025]

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Each year our entrants tell us how engaging with creativity during their time in a secure setting positively impacts their mental health. You may recognise this impressive calligraphy piece from our 2024 exhibition, ‘No Comment’.
#WorldMentalHealthDay

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Happy #WorldElephantDay! 🐘

How ear-isistable is this little guy?

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

We know you've been waiting... 👀

Night Owls and Abstractions
Curated by Inua Ellams
31 October - 14 December 📅
Southbank Centre📍

Keep your eyes peeled on our socials for more from our curator, Inua Ellams, and add the dates to your diary. More here: https://t.co/5Q4OcxG9Zz

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

This is your chance to be part of our next poetry anthology, Koestler Voices: New Poetry from Prisons Vol. 5! 💪

Help us publish and distribute the anthology to every poet featured, and to readers far beyond the prison walls. 📚

Join: https://t.co/e1uBSosx2v

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

We are looking for new volunteer Arts Mentors to join our mentoring project! 🤝

Koestler Arts Mentors support one or more mentees who have been involved in the criminal justice system and have an interest in the arts. 🎨

To find out more and apply: https://t.co/3AeYAyt5FJ

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Coming to Oxford! 📍

We're excited to announce a new regional Koestler Arts exhibition in partnership with the Old Fire Station arts centre, running from 29 January to 14 March 2026.

Keep your eyes peeled on our socials for more details in the future 👀

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

For July's #ArtAid, Koestler Award winner, exhibited artist and mentee, Gary, shares advice on finding inspiration and starting to draw using everyday objects. 🎨

Download the sheet, and any previous Art Aid sheets, here: https://t.co/1IyZopORVA

#KoestlerAwards #KoestlerArts

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe joined us on 1 July to kick off the 2025 Koestler Awards judging season!

While she was here, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with her for an interview - you can read the full piece here: https://t.co/p61cJnVB7G

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Dalton, who performed at our Voices from Prison event last March, shared his thoughts about the event and navigating the criminal justice system as a transgender man. Read the full piece here: https://t.co/4U20px82Uk

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Today we were joined by Sofia, an Unlocked Graduate! She also posed for a picture with her favourite entry so far 🍗

As part of her placement, Sofia will volunteer with us for the next week and a half, helping us get the artworks ready for the Koestler Awards 🧐

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

You might have thought this was an ancient relic, but it was entered into the Koestler Awards just this year 🧐

This incredible sculpture features what looks to be a Lamassu, mythological guardians frequently depicted in Mesopotamian art.

#KoestlerAwards #KoestlerArts

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

"Sometimes those least accepted by humanity are the ones who do the most for it." 💬

We’re marking the third week of #PrideMonth with this quote and portrait of Alan Turing by a Koestler Awards entrant.

#KoestlerArts #ArtWithPurpose #ArtForChange #PrideMonth

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Did you know you could have a direct impact on an individual’s self-esteem and motivation to engage with art? 🎨

👉 Swipe through to learn more about our Patrons programme, or join now here: https://t.co/1IqmgPZJKx

#KoestlerArts #KoestlerAwards #ArtForChange #ArtInPrison

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

This little monster is made of SOAP! 🧼🧽

This eldritch cutie and its collection of knick-knacks are entering the 2025 Koestler Awards from HM Prison Ashfield, sculpted entirely from soap. And they smell amazing, too!

[Artwork: Baby Cthulhu, HM Prison Ashfield, Sculpture, 2025]

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Hope you're all relaxing and getting ready for the weekend.

We’re full of beans to share this wonderful textile piece with you, from HM Prison Bronzefield.

[Artwork credit: Coffee and Biscuits, HM Prison Bronzefield, Needlecraft, 2024]

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

🌍 This #WorldEnvironmentDay we're sharing this striking diptych we received last year. A reminder to examine our impact on the planet, and care for nature as much as we admire it.

Artwork credit: Honest Pollution, HM Prison Maghaberry, Bronze Baseroom Award for Painting, 2024

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

💬"Think about places that have inspired you or are important to you, or somewhere you’ve never been but would like to explore."

🐦 This month's #ArtAid activity from Jade, Koestler Award winner, draws inspiration from birds and flight.

🔗 Download here: https://t.co/VyUpaqvtTf

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

Talk about up-lifting art - these bras from our 2024 Southbank exhibition, No Comment, are supportive in more ways than one.

At Koestler Arts, we celebrate self-expression - this #PrideMonth, we honour the LGBTQ+ community in all its strength, creativity, and resilience.

[Koestler Arts @KoestlerArts]

💬"Creative stimuli are all around us, waiting for the right person to notice them."

🗣️ For #NationalCreativityDay, we asked our staff and volunteers what helps them feel creative!

#KoestlerArts #InspirationDaily #CreativeProcess #ArtAndInspiration