Corrections art students showcase their work

Greenbush Art Group, who are a group of Alice Springs artists in Charles Darwin University’s corrections program, are back this year for an exhibition of more than 170 works. 

This exhibition, called Steel Life, is focused on the artists’ creative journey in using welding techniques, to express themselves.

This years’ exhibition shows the connection between the artists and Australian wildlife. 

All the artists who make up Greenbush Art Group are currently part of the CDU TAFE corrections visual arts program and are enrolled in the Certificate IV Visual Arts program.

This is the first year the Corrections program has had access to the Certificate IV through CDU TAFE, the Certificate IV promotes individuals who are beginning to develop their own artistic voice and command of techniques in a range of art forms, including sculpture.

The sculptures in Steel Life used repurposed and recycled materials, such as car parts, to reflect the uniqueness of Australia’s wildlife.  Wildlife inspires much of Greenbush’s works. 

One student said their inspiration came from road signs in the Top End of the frill neck lizard. 

“I tried to capture the action of the lizards in movement, using reused and repurposed items such as nuts, wire, ball bearings and motor parts which is the style of art I find interesting,” said the CDU Cert IV Visual arts student.

CDU TAFE Visual Arts Lecturer Corrections Sue McDonnell said the students have been working on this exhibition since the beginning of the year using skills learnt in the Certificate course to bring their works to life.

“These artworks represent a variety of visual arts, craft and design work. The students practice is underpinned by application of broad and integrated technical and theoretical knowledge, especially using welding techniques,” Ms McDonnell said,

“These students work hard and are determined to become artists, these exhibits allow them to see their work become a reality.

“Both myself and the students appreciate the community’s support, and hope that more people will attend the exhibition and if they have the capacity to purchase one of the pieces.”

Alice Springs Correctional Centre General Manager Bill Carroll said the Greenbush Art Group Exhibition has been an important part of the Alice Springs Correctional Centre’s art and industry for a number of years. 

"These exhibitions have and continue to be more than just pieces of art made of timber and steel, they represent and symbolise the thoughts, feelings and creativity of people who are incarcerated for long periods of time. For those prisoners who participate in these exhibitions it is the only opportunity to express themselves in a community forum where I know people will value the many hidden talents that are behind the wire of our prison system," Mr Carroll said.

"I would like to congratulate those prisoners who are participating in this year’s exhibition as some of the work is exceptional and I know these works will be appreciated by people in the community.”  

All the pieces from the exhibition are for sale with a percentage of sales going to the artists. The exhibition opens to the public on November 9 and will run until February 9, 2025 at the Araluen Arts Centre.