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Since 1962 the Koestler Awards have played a unique, national role in motivating prisoners, secure hospital patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts. The Koestler Awards are simple and powerful – we reward achievement, build self-confidence and broaden horizons for some of society’s most disadvantaged and marginalised people.

Our work harnesses the uniquely transformative power of the arts to help individuals learn the skills and gain the confidence to live creative, positive and productive lives. Each year we receive more than 7,000 entries from over 3,500 entrants across the UK in 52 categories. More than 2,000 Awards are granted by over 100 esteemed judges, and each year culminates in a curated exhibition at Southbank Centre which showcases the incredible power of the arts to transform lives.

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Archive

  • Stories, Socks & Jay Cloths

    Stories, Socks & Jay Cloths
    HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Low Newton
    John Crockett Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: Interlude
    2019

    Limited edition of 100, +5 Artist’s Proofs (unframed)

    Giclée print on Hahnemühle – Photo Rag, 308gsm, 49 x 33.8 cm

    Numbered and embossed with Koestler Arts Editions logo on front

    You will receive the next available number in the edition of 100.

    Koestler Arts Editions is a series of inspiring Koestler Awards entries, beautifully printed in limited numbers, and sold to raise funds for the charity. We are delighted to launch our first limited edition print, Stories, Socks & Jay Cloths.

    We are enormously grateful to Susan Dunn for her support of this project. By covering the initial costs, all proceeds from the prints will now directly benefit our entrants, and provide encouragement and opportunity to even more people in the criminal justice system.

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  • The Owl

    The Owl 
    Thames House Women’s Centre
    Painting
    2019

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 59.4 x 42cm.

    This artwork is a continuation of our project 100 Years On.

    Koestler Arts displayed artwork by women in prison in key sites across the UK in 2018. The project played a part in the Vote 100 celebrations which took place throughout 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted women the right to vote.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Where I’d like to be

    Where I’d like to be 
    HM Prison Low Newton
    Watercolour and Gouache
    2019

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 29.7 x 27.8cm.

    This artwork is a continuation of our project 100 Years On.

    Koestler Arts displayed artwork by women in prison in key sites across the UK in 2018. The project played a part in the Vote 100 celebrations which took place throughout 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted women the right to vote.

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  • Woman in Cafe

    Woman in Cafe
    St. Magnus Hospital
    Bronze Award for Portrait
    2019

    Oil pastel on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 29.7 x 42cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Worlds Apart

    Worlds Apart
    HM Prison Dumfries
    Bronze Award for Watercolour and Gouache
    2016

    Watercolour on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 28 x 38cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Drinking

    Drinking
    HM Prison Liverpool
    Drawing
    2019

    Watercolour, pencil and pen on paper.

    Sold unframed: dimensions 43 x 29.7cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Interlude – Migration

    Interlude – Migration
    HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Chelmsford
    Highly Commended Award for Themed category
    2019

    Pencil on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 42.2 x 30.1cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Train over Troubled Waters

    Train over troubled waters
    HM Prison Barlinnie
    Pastel
    2019

    Pastel on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 42 x 29.8cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • A Rhondda Valley Beach

    A Rhondda Valley Beach
    HM Prison Birmingham
    Pastel
    2019

    Pastel on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 29.7 x 20.3cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Vase of Flowers

    Vase of Flowers
    John Howard Centre (secure mental heath unit)
    Pastel
    2016

    Pastel on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 42 x 60cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Three Blind Mice

    Three Blind Mice
    HM Prison Wakefield
    Graphic Novel
    2019

    Pencil on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 30 x 21cm.

    An original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Let me tell you a story

    Let me tell you a story
    HM Prison Barlinnie
    Drawing
    2016

    Pencil on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 29.7 x 42cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Sunscape

    Sunscape
    218 Service
    Mixed Media
    2019

    Paper, cardboard and tissue paper on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 40.8 x 29.9cm.

    Original artwork for a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

    Please note: There is a small tear in the middle at the bottom of the paper. This is only visible when looking at the back of the artwork.

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  • Square Top Caravan

    Square Top Caravan
    HM Prison Lewes
    Highly Commended Award for Watercolour and Gouache
    2019

    Watercolour on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 38.3 x 29.8cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Purple Hills

    Purple Hills
    HM Prison Woodhill
    Watercolour and Gouache
    2016

    Watercolour on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 25.7 x 18.5cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Wind in the Willows

    Wind in the Willows
    HM Prison Elmley (sheppey cluster)
    Drawing
    2018

    Pencil on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 29.7 x 21cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

    Please note: This artwork has some light pencil markings in the bottom left hand corner that cannot be seen in the image. This is for confidentiality reasons.

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  • Lundy Puffin

    Lundy Puffin
    HM Prison Brixton
    Watercolour and Gouache
    2018

    Watercolour on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 21.1 x 25.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Cool Mount Fuji

    Cool Mount Fuji
    HM Prison Woodhill
    Watercolour and Gouache
    2018

    Watercolour on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 37.7 x 27cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Connections to Faith

    Connections to Faith
    HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Low Newton
    Commended Award for Watercolour and Gouache
    2018

    Watercolour on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 15.3 x 25.8cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Women Resilience

    Women Resilience
    HM Prison Peterborough
    Painting
    2017

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 34.2 x 27.8cm.

    This artwork was on display at Anawim Women’s Centre in Birmingham as part of our project 100 Years On.

    Koestler Arts displayed artwork by women in prison in key sites across the UK in 2018. The project played a part in the Vote 100 celebrations which took place throughout 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted women the right to vote.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Blobs

    Blobs
    HM Prison Woodhill
    Watercolour and Gouache
    2018

    Watercolour on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 26 x 29.5cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Summer in a Pink Dress

    Summer in a Pink Dress
    HM Prison Send
    Painting
    2017

    Sold framed, dimensions: 48 x 63cm.

    This artwork was on display at HM Prison & YOI Low Newton in County Durham as part of our project 100 Years On.

    Koestler Arts displayed artwork by women in prison in key sites across the UK in 2018. The project played a part in the Vote 100 celebrations which took place throughout 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted women the right to vote.

    Click below to see the full image.

    Read more

  • Tea Time

    Tea Time
    HM Prison Woodhill
    Watercolour
    2018

    Watercolour on paper.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 25 x 22cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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  • Indian Culture

    Indian Culture
    HM Prison Woodhill
    Silver Award for Painting
    2018

    Poster colour on card.

    Sold unframed, dimensions: 42 x 29.7 cm.

    Original artwork by a Koestler Awards Entrant.

    Click below to see the full image.

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