With // Out - Spike Island Cork

This project is the result of a unique collaboration between Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Prison, featuring workshops led by historian-curator Matt Ryan and artist-educator Daniel Sexton since November 2024. The initiative goes beyond simply displaying finished artworks, it reveals the powerful transformation that occurs when creativity crosses boundaries.

Inspired by the Crawford Art Gallery’s collection, the workshops encourage participants to explore new forms of expression and connect their inner lives with the outside world. Through expert guidance—combining artistic skill and historical context—the men develop creative confidence, self-worth and a meaningful way to share their stories beyond prison walls.

The With // Out exhibition showcases these works, highlighting themes of identity, freedom and connection. It invites visitors to witness how art can transcend barriers and reveal the resilience of the human spirit, even within confinement.

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For over a decade, Spike Island has worked closely with the Cork Prison Education Unit, resulting in a series of exhibitions uniquely presented within its preserved prison spaces. As a former place of incarceration, Spike Island provides an authentic and powerful backdrop that deepens the impact of the work on display. This year’s initiative marks another compelling chapter in this ongoing collaboration.