Soul Journey to Truth

Curated by Lady Unchained

A Koestler Arts exhibition for the North West of England

17 May – 6 June 2021
HOME, Manchester, as part of the Ripples of Hope Festival

Soul Journey to Truth was an exhibition that shone a light on the creative talent within prisons, secure settings, and people on probation in the North West of England.

The exhibition shared a selection of fragile and powerful stories through artwork from the 2020 Koestler Awards. Many of the pieces on display were created during the pandemic. Lady Unchained (Brenda Birungi) carefully curated the exhibition, dividing the 135 artworks on display it into into themes of self-reflection, nature, animals, and a dedication to Black History. Visitors could explore art that imagined hopeful futures and reflected diverse voices.

Soul Journey to Truth took its title from the word Sojourner, meaning a person who resides temporarily in a place, and from Sojourner Truth (b.1797 – 1883). Truth was a Black American abolitionist and women’s rights activist who was born into slavery in New York. She escaped to freedom in 1826.

Meet the Curator: Lady Unchained

In the lead up to the exhibition, Bren O’Callaghan from Manchester’s HOME sat down to chat with Lady Unchained to find out what the exhibition means to her.

Read the interview here
A headshot of exhibition curator Brenda Birungi.

Watch

Hear from the people behind the artwork about what creativity, and having their work selected for this exhibition, means to them.

Watch here

Online Galleries

View a selection of artwork from the exhibition in the themed galleries below.