Participants across Seetec’s CFO Activity Hubs in Plymouth and Bristol are celebrating success in this year’s Koestler Awards, with three creative submissions receiving recognition.
The Koestler Awards celebrate creativity across the criminal justice system, providing opportunities for people in custody and the community to have their artwork recognised and shared with a wider audience.
Our Bristol CFO Activity Hub received two awards, with its Snowy Cabin submission earning a Bronze Award, while its Tree of Life was recognised with an Outstanding Debut Award.
Meanwhile, participants at our Plymouth CFO Activity Hub received a commendation for their collaborative entry inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Roots’. An independently standing tree and root system to represent their experiences, their personal journeys and the foundations they are building for the future.
Sustainability was an important part of the project. The tree was created using discarded cardboard, paper, tissue paper and card, which participants chose to upcycle – reflecting the idea that something which may previously have been overlooked or discarded can come together to become something powerful.
Every element of the finished piece carries meaning.
Dark roots represent difficult early life experiences and the impact of the systems surrounding participants, while brighter, colourful roots reflect individuality, diversity and positive experiences.
Moss around the roots symbolises resilience and the ability to continue growing even in difficult circumstances.
The tree itself is deliberately uneven, with changes in direction and jagged edges representing the challenges, painful experiences and adaptations participants may encounter throughout their lives and journeys through the justice system.
Importantly, the tree stops before reaching its branches. Participants felt this reflected the fact that their stories are still being written. The people involved – participants and staff alike – represent the branches, leaves and flowers, continuing to grow and bloom at their own pace.
Creating the piece became much more than an art activity. It provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their past, explore their identity and consider what they want their future to look like.
For some, this included challenging labels such as ‘offender’ or ‘criminal’ and recognising that their past does not have to define their next chapter.
Participants spoke about how being part of the CFO Activity Hub has helped them to feel included, welcomed and supported, while developing skills and working towards goals that matter to them.
One participant, who described themselves as a ‘Root builder’, summed up the thinking behind the project:
“We may well have to rebuild our life from the roots up. Having to nurture strong roots, fed well with new wisdom gained from mistakes from our past, they will grow a strong beautiful tree in a new and better future.”
Receiving a commendation in the Koestler Awards is fantastic recognition of the creativity and thought that went into the project – but, most importantly, of the participants who were willing to share their experiences and turn them into something meaningful.
Congratulations to everyone at our Plymouth CFO Activity Hub who contributed to this powerful piece.
