The only arts magazine made for prisoners by prisoners in Scotland
Editorial
Welcome to Issue 22 of STIR , a compilation of outstanding written and visual artwork , wherein people in prison establishments throughout Scotland are provided an opportunity to showcase their talent to a wider audience .
All of us live in a world where we still feel the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic in our lives ; albeit not in as serious a way as it was when the last issue of STIR was published in 2021 - we are now getting used to the idea of having to live with Covid-19 as part of our daily lives . There have been significant impacts on prison regimes and it has led to a lot of delays and at times frustrations . We hope that all our readers have been able to display great resilience and that things have started improving for you . However , amidst this pandemic we also see a human tragedy unfolding in Ukraine with the unimaginable loss of lives . And here closer to home we see other pressures falling on ordinary citizens in the form of increase in the cost of living . All these factors affect us in various forms and this issue dwells a bit into how during such difficult times we find art in all its forms to be both therapeutic and cathartic .
This issue focuses on the theme Pandemic Art , a topic which has influenced many of the submissions we have received . This can be seen in the themed pages with submissions such as Stay Safe , Dead Planet , Covid-19 and also in written works such as These Four Walls , Together , etc ., When you go through the rest of the issue we see this theme appear again on a regular basis in the artworks such as Covid Nurse , Together , Link and A mask to cover a mask .
In the Projects page , we highlight Kids Lives Matter from HMP / YOI Polmont which was part of an annual Child Safety Week , an educational campaign run by Child Accident Prevention Trust ( CAPT ). There were various activities and events organised to help build confidence and skills in managing real risks to children ’ s lives . The testimonies provided showed us an insight into what motivated people to get involved in this project . Even though the week-long event had to be scaled down due to Covid , it was safe to say that there was a lot of awareness raised .
The Cover image - A Day in the life - was drawn to represent what most prisoners think about in terms of what life could have been on the outside and it denotes a sense of loss we feel when we cannot be there for our loved ones because of our incarceration . This can also be seen in the Poster image - Pandemicdemonium - which succinctly encapsulated what has been going through our minds during this difficult period of time .
The Creative Writing and Poetry Corner spreads contain written and visual artwork submissions articulating the feelings and emotions of their authors covering different topics and genres such as journeys , meaning of love , even extending to the blethering between mates in prison .
Winning works from Issue 21
Written
In the Gallery
1
NUTCRACKERS
James Low Moss Cardboard
2
OH THE PLACES WE ’ LL GO
Group Project Low Moss Mixed Media
3
SISTER
Joseph Low Moss Pastels
Visual Art
BROKEN Justin Glenochil
A vibrant piece of art with plenty of character and strong style . The faded colours give the image a life and personality of its own and looks as if it has endured a passage of time , giving it a human touch . Very confident work full of emotion that engages with the viewer .
Life Changed Jim Dumfries In this poem the author experiences different emotions in his lifetime - from feelings of happiness and joy to those filled with turmoil and dismay . This resonated with us as we have gone through these emotions ourselves . Ending on a positive note , it gives us the assurance that things can get better and what better message for us whilst in the midst of a pandemic .
7
KINGFISHER AT NIGHT
Paul Dumfries Oil on Canvas
8
JOHNNY
Martin Low Moss Plaster , Paint and Cardboard
9
HARE TODAY GONE TOMORROW
Paul Dumfries Oil on Canvas
The contributors ’ spectacular submissions allow us to make each issue of STIR into the award winning arts magazine that it is . This issue ’ s theme covered emotions and a period of time which has been extremely difficult for all of us and our loved ones . We find that through art we can aspire to reflect on what truly matters to us in our lives , helping us to become better people and we hope the same applies to you too .
Produced , designed and proofread by the STIR Magazine Editorial Group .
The views expressed in STIR are not those of the Scottish Prison Service .
Cover image A DAY IN THE LIFE
Joseph Low Moss Acrylic
4
DO YOU KNOW ME ?
Jason Castle Huntly Unknown
5
MY SCENE
Ian Low Moss Paint
6
CHERRY BLOSSOM
James Dumfries Watercolour
10
ART NOUVEAU SLAB POT
Paul Dumfries Clay Sculpture
11
MAJESTIC
Justin Dumfries Pencil
12
MY SON LEYTON
Scott Low Moss Pencil