Dozens of shoes line a current art exhibition on display at Whirinaki Whare Taonga in Upper Hutt. And while they all began as the same plain white canvas shoe, each has been decorated as uniquely as the artist's story behind it. The exhibition Worn showcases prisoners' creativity - and is a partnership between the Department of Corrections and the art school The Learning Connexion, which is based in Taita in Lower Hutt. Sharon Hall - operations director at The Learning Connexion - started up the partnership 19 years ago, and says it is a critical programme for prisoners' recovery and rehabilitation.
And for a cohort living within the confines of uniform and the loss of individual expression, the chance to express themselves through art cannot be understated. Grant Barriball, the creativity kaiako at The Learning Connexion, and Sharon Hall speak to Kathryn.
Photo: Supplied by The Learning Connexion
