WOMEN in custody at HMP Grampian have unveiled a new mural and creative writing project celebrating strength, resilience and womanhood.
The mural was designed and created by women in custody, giving them the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and share a message that the past does not have to define the future.
The Banff Women's Mural Project was developed in partnership with SPS education provider PeoplePlus and the HMP Grampian Learning Hub. Through art, creative writing and ICT classes, 12 women worked together to create a mural and accompanying booklet inspired by their experiences, hopes and ambitions.
The project began as a plan to update an existing mural in the corridor leading to Banff Hall, the women's accommodation area within HMP Grampian. Initial discussions focused on featuring well-known inspirational women. However, participants decided it was more important to reflect their own experiences and the qualities they felt connected all women.
Through painting, writing and discussion, they explored what womanhood meant to them, helping to shape both the mural and a legacy booklet which included their own poems and creative writing.
The finished artwork uses colour and symbolism to tell that story. Each colour was chosen by the women to represent qualities and experiences that were important to them. Teal symbolises calm and healing, pink compassion, orange courage, blue hope, yellow positivity, black resilience and white new beginnings.
Paint drips running throughout the mural are also symbolic. They represent emotions, struggles and the courage to keep moving forward, while recognising that nobody's journey is perfect.
As part of the project, participants worked towards Qualifications Scotland awards in Communication, Problem Solving, Working with Others and the PDA Practical Abilities Award.
Those involved hope it will make the journey less intimidating for women arriving in custody for the first time and serve as a reminder that they are not alone.
They also wanted the artwork to convey a message that while past experiences stay with us, they do not have to stop us moving forward.
Kelly, who took part in the project, said: "At first, I joined the project just to get some time out of my cell, but the more involved I became, the more I started to enjoy it and discovered a talent I never knew I had. Taking part gave me time to reflect on why I was here and focus on something positive. It was really therapeutic. When you're concentrating on the art, you forget where you are for a while, and the colours have a way of lifting your mood.
"The mural took months to complete, but it was worth it. We wanted it to show that while our experiences stay with us, they don't have to stop us moving forward. That's the message we hope people take away from it."
