Prison Residencies is a brand new residency programme established at the 400 year old prison at Shepton Mallet Prison, Somerset, UK. This project is co-curated by Amanda Lynch and Luminara Florescu. As part of our access mission, we have had some artists working remotely, including Amanda Lynch.
I have worked remotely like many of us being stuck at home over the past 18 months. However, how does working remotely fit within a re-emerging world, where people with disabilities are yet stuck at home again. I have seen over the past few months as the world has opened up that some galleries have stopped sharing content online which was a great thing that occurred over the last 18 months of the Covid pandemic. With the decline in virtual exhibitions and videos, it has felt like the world has yet closed in again. For myself working remotely has not only been a lifeline but also an opportunity to keep going in a time that is the only way I can feel part of something.
Working remotely does have its problems however, there can be a feeling of disconnect within a group that has ‘in real life’ participation and workers who are remote. There can be a divide felt between the two groups.
Prison Residencies gave an opportunity to explore female prisoners who were isolated for many years. In comparison to not physically within the prison, some of us are still physically within a prison of our own homes for many various reasons.
