You Be The Judge - an exhibition that explores crime, punishment and creativity

Marie Fox, a third year Art History student at the School of Art, has been selected to take part in a prestigious arts initiative to co-curate an exhibition of Prisoner Art at London's Royal Festival Hall this September. Fascinating in theme and remarkable in artistic quality, this is the UK’s annual showcase of visual arts, film, music and writing by prisoners and others in secure settings. This year’s exhibition is curated by a group of magistrates – a groundbreaking exploration of judgement, art and crime. It is a partnership between the Koestler Trust, Southbank Centre and the Magistrates’ Association. The Koestler Trust is a long-established charity that encourages positive achievement by offenders by awarding, exhibiting and selling their artworks.

Elected by the Magistrate's Association, Marie was given three-weeks training in how to curate an exhibition which included gallery visits and input from arts professionals. Artworks from all around the UK were gathered together at the Trust's base next to Wormwood Scrubs Prison in west London. In addition to making the selection, Marie was involved in the exhibition plan and display designs, as well as write comments to be shown alongside the works.

The only representative from Wales, Marie also helped organise the hang. Following the news of her place on the panel, she commented that 'whilst I'm feeling a tad out of my comfort zone just now, I'm thrilled to think that I'm one of only ten chosen from all the applications throughout the country.  Wales is on the map!!' The Koestler Awards 2011 exhibition showcases art by offenders, secure patients and detainees. Staff of the Koestler Trust and the curatorial team of the Royal Festival Hall were an 'inspiration' for Marie who felt that her 'appreciation and concept of art' had been 'challenged' which was 'no bad thing,' as she thought her 'confidence to pitch and defend pieces of work that [she] wanted in the exhibition grew by the day.'

The Koestler Awards Exhibition at London's Southbank Centre runs Wednesday 21 September 2011 – Sunday 20 November 2011.