Each of the works has a different story, but their common denominator is prison. They were made behind bars, but they respond to the lack of physical freedom with artistic freedom. The organization “Monumenta” through the exhibition “Art from Prison”, tells the other side of women in prison. There is a noble mission and art is the means to highlight it.
The paintings are the contrast of the prison. There is artistic freedom there, full of colors that reveal a kind of antonymy beyond the bars. The organization “Monumenta” has brought together in an exhibition about 30 works of art created in the Women’s Correctional Center in Lipjan in the last six months, and those present have also had the opportunity to purchase them, in order to provide the prisoners with motivation and emotional support, more than financially.
The “Monumenta” organization, marking an important moment for all those who believe in an inclusive system, in the same environment – in the lobby of the National Library of Kosovo, had organized on June 20 of last year the exhibition that also served as an auction, selling most of the works of women serving prison sentences, made at that time with the filigree technique on paper.
The aim of the project, as in the first time, was to support women prisoners in the Correctional Center for Women in Lipjan, so that they could create works of art and benefit from as little income as possible that they could use after their release. “Art from Prison” realized by “Monumenta”, is supported by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Kosovo Correctional Service.
After the attendees viewed the paintings one by one, they returned to the podium where the executive director of “Monumenta”, Doruntina Ukimeri, spoke, indicating that “the exhibition is not only a visual representation of artistic creativity, but is also evidence of the power of art to rehabilitate.”
Since the project is also supported by the Ministry of Justice, the acting minister, Albulena Haxhiu, was also present, who said that “rehabilitation is a complex process, therefore it requires dedication, time and support from institutions, from the family, but also from the community.”
“This exhibition is clear evidence that when institutional civic forces come together, but also through cooperation between local and international organizations, the results are tangible and inspiring, but above all, today we honor creative women who have shared a part of their soul with us,” said Haxhiu at the exhibition’s opening on Thursday night.
A short documentary prepared by the organization was broadcast in the lobby of the National Library, presenting the interior of Lipjan Prison and some emotional stories of imprisoned women.
The director of the organization has indicated that the proceeds from the sale of these paintings will go directly to the imprisoned women’s accounts.
“Today we had the second exhibition of the ‘Art from Prison’ project, where we displayed over 30 works of art, which were created at the Women’s Correctional Center in Lipjan over the last six months. The paintings are continuing to be sold, people have shown interest and I believe that a large number of them will be sold and the proceeds from these sales will go directly to the accounts of the women at the Correctional Center in Lipjan,” Ukimeri told KOHĘN.
“Art from Prison,” according to her, is a “very noble project and the goal is very humane.” The great dedication these women have had to creating the works is evident.
“What we have given women through this project is hope, care and to show them that people value their work, they have seen it and maybe this is a bridge of communication with the outside world, what is created inside, is seen outside and is liked by people and is displayed in bars and in different homes. For us, this whole period that we have been working with women in the correctional center has been very emotional,” she said.
Also last year, Doruntina Ukimeri mentioned that they had the first exhibition where women worked with another technique called filigree on paper, and last year, as well, they have now created nearly 30 works and a considerable number of them have been sold.
A special part of this exhibition was the documentary that was presented, to present the environment where the works of art that were put on display were created.
“We wanted to tell people about the atmosphere in which these works were created and introduce them a little to the creators, so it was a little emotional, because it’s not pleasant when the shutter doors are opened with keys and people are isolated there, but it’s still an expression of freedom, this way of creating and exhibiting these works outside,” said Ukimeri.
The organization has always tried to try different artistic disciplines, but what they want to change is to work with well-known artists, so that the work of these women can be promoted a little more, but perhaps the product can also be better.
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