The Libertines' frontman Pete Doherty is to launch a new exhibition exploring prison reform, rehabilitation and redemption in conjunction with prisoners at Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison.
Peter Doherty v Barlinnie will see curator and artist Joe Henry use the traditional life drawing class to stage a performance and event inside the gates of Barlinnie Prison, with Doherty as model and subject.
The exhibition will present the resulting 11 drawings from the inmates alongside a selection of Doherty's own artworks chosen by Doherty himself and curator Joe Henry, that depict Doherty's subversive world of art, music and poetry, and his far reaching influence on popular culture.
The drawings included in the exhibition will be created next month during a one-day life drawing class using Doherty as the life class model.
The class will be held at the Fife college Art Room inside the gates of Barlinnie prison and include eleven artists drawn from Barlinnie's diverse prisoner communities, ranging in age from 19 to 65, with varying backgrounds and levels of education and experience. The exhibition will also include photography from Sarah Thompson and Pauline Darley.
Barlinnie Prison Governor Mick Stoney said: "Art in prison provides the opportunity for expression and is a form of coping, creating something positive and a chance for the men to see themselves as something different. This project provides an injection of energy that prisons often need to support engagement and change.
"The chance to have their art displayed publicly will be affirmation that they can create a new identity and have the skill to contribute positively, a unique project which I hope leads to positive outcomes for all involved”.
Exhibition curator Joe Henry added: "I've always been a fan of Pete Doherty. His poetry and his music have influenced a generation. His artwork has the same chaotic punk energy of his sound and is similar in style to the art of Jean Michel Basquiat.
"This exhibition will see Pete on a different platform, behind the prison gates of Scotland's toughest prison, Barlinnie. Working with mixed media artists, using Doherty as their canvas to work from. We are hoping by staging this event, that this will inspire the participating artists on their road to recovery, and bring the conversation of prison reform to a bigger audience."
As part of the exhibition there will be an introduction written text/essay from World Health Organisation head of art Christopher Bailey on the importance of creation in confinement and using art as a form of healing.
Peter Doherty v Barlinnie will open at Platform gallery - formerly The Arches - on September 22, with a launch night including a Disco Punk DJ set from The Libertines' frontman and Bosco running from 7pm to midnight.
Tickets are available from Skiddle and Tickets Scotland.
