Prisoner shows his art in parly

2004-10-20 22:12

Cape Town - In what must be a first for parliament, a Goodwood Prison inmate attended an exhibition of his art in the foyer of the old assembly chamber on Wednesday.

Gareth James, 26, beamed as MPs, visitors, staff, and the media crowded around to view his original oil paintings - portraits of President Thabo Mbeki, deputy president Jacob Zuma, and all the cabinet ministers.

All the portraits were painted in Goodwood Prison and will be handed over to the subjects as James's contribution to Heritage Month.

Graham Abrahams of the correctional services department said James was an untrained artist, using his natural skills to sketch and paint. He was also a keen sculptor.

"His artistic work is part of his rehabilitation programme while serving his sentence," said Abrahams.

Concentrates only on his art

James's profile, provided at the exhibition, said he discovered his talent for art at the age of six, and at the age of 19 got a job at the Stellenbosch art foundry of artist Dylan Lewis.

However, he left when Lewis sold the business and his job was "degraded", subsequently meeting the "wrong people at the wrong time".

After being sentenced for an unspecified offence, James realised although he had lost many things, he had not lost his talent, and decided to concentrate only on his art.

He still hopes to study the philosophy of cultures and ancient art.

"Art is not about just drawing; it's about knowing what it does and where it comes from," he said.

- SAPA