PATNA: A first-of-its-kind exhibition to showcase paintings and sculptures made by prisoners from jails across the country will be held in Kolkata soon. This all-India exhibition will begin soon after the West Bengal polls at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture. From Bihar alone, 20 art pieces have been sent to Kolkata.
B D Sharma, IG, prisons, West Bengal told TOI over phone, “So much talent is hidden among the prisoners languishing in our prisons. This is an attempt to showcase their talent in a grand way. We are inviting officers from all over the country to see the creations,” he said, adding “the exhibition will be open for general public too”.
“So far we have received entries from 15 states, including Goa and Jharkhand,” Sharma told TOI.
From Bihar, 20 art pieces, including paintings and sculptures, have already been sent. Five entries have been sent from the city’s Beur Central Jail alone.
Bihar IG, prisons, Ramesh Lal told TOI, “Anyone will be amazed to see the creativity of these inmates.” Lal has himself kept on display two beautiful paintings made by prisoners.
While paintings were selected from Beur Central Jail, terracotta items and stone sculptures were brought in from Bhagalpur jail.
A four-member committee was constituted to shortlist items for exhibition. Its members were IG, prisons, Bihar, superintendent of Beur jail, DG (provision) and a DIG-rank officer.