Little Black Book of Art

Inmates at Britain’s largest prison have hand-stitched a quilt to be displayed alongside artwork by Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry.

The group of 53 from Wandsworth Prison, some of whom are serving life for murder, has spent two years working on detailed hexagons for the cover – a needlework map of the Victorian block’s cells, wings and segregation units.

The piece, commissioned by Victoria and Albert museum curator Sue Prichard, will be part of an exhibition called ‘Quilts 1700-2010′ next year of embroidery documenting love, marriage, births, deaths, patriotism and fashion. It will join tapestries dating back 300 years, as well as contemporary work.

The Wandsworth Quilt includes appliqué images and words depicting aspects of prison life. The prisoners have fortnightly needlework lessons supervised by charity Fine Cell Work, a rehabilitation project that teaches basic sewing skills.

Caroline Wilkinson, who runs the classes, said she was struck “by the wealth of talent and creativity” in the prison. “I am constantly surprised by the resourcefulness and pride the men take in their work,” she said. “I often wonder what these men might have achieved with a better start in life.”

Tracey Emin’s piece for the show, a bed, has stitched blankets and cotton sheets decorated with images and words to illustrate periods of pain and despair in her life. Perry’s piece is a blanket covered with emotionally charged messages tackling the abortion debate with an ornate textile pattern of a foetus.

Text credit: Ellen Widdup