Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life
– Pablo Picasso
Walking through the Yanamilla prison in Ayacucho- your hand is your passport of entry. One needs to make their way through several checkpoints, where, if deemed “suitable”, your hand gets tattooed with stamps of approval to move on to the next checkpoint. The stamps are the differentiating accessory between the ones who are able to leave at the end of the day, and the ones who must remain behind. There are no prison uniforms or barred inmates here- Yanamilla is an open prison. Dressed in denim jeans, running shoes and t-shirts, it is difficult to tell who the prisoners are.
So what was I doing in the middle of an Andean prison? It was quite simple really, I was here to plaster these bleak prison walls with images of butterflies and flowers.. no, really. I was here to help paint a beautiful jungle mural in the prison’s cuna!! It was by random luck that I happened to meet Shayma in ViaVia cafe one afternoon, after I overheard her speaking English. Craving to have a conversation without the use of my dictionary, verb conjugation booklet, or simply staring blankly at the other person, I intruded on her peaceful lunch. She told me that she had come to Ayacucho last April to volunteer with an organization called Cross Cultural Solutions. Following her volunteering experience, she was so drawn by the magic of this city that she just had to come back. So in the months to follow, she took a leave of absence from her job at the hospital in England, and decided to spend the next four months in Ayacucho with complete freedom to develop herself as an artist- all behind prison walls. And so began our daily morning journeys to the prison, with paint cans and brushes perched in one hand, while the other hand was used like a surfer in rough waters to balance ourselves on the bumpy combi rides to the prison.
Small projects such as this one began in the Yanamilla prison about 2 years ago when a former volunteer of Cross Cultural Solutions decided to start a women’s cooperative called Maki Inc. within the prison, with the help of Marisol Chancos Mendoza, an Ayacucho native who works with several non profit organizations within the province. Maki Inc. was created with the aim of providing support to the women of the prison by giving them the opportunity to sell their handmade goods for income. Maki Inc. has also been integral in supporting various projects within the prison, including the latest endeavour of replacing the tile floor, and painting the walls in the cuna. According to the province’s department of education, if Maki Inc. is able to make the improvements to the cuna, a teacher will be sent there in the mornings to be with the kids.
It’s funny how a little paint has the ability to completely transform an atmosphere. The act of painting opened a venue for conversation and laughter between the prisoners and ourselves. It was great to witness art’s therapeutic and empowering effects on individuals who juggle an overwhelming myriad of issues on a daily basis, and are caught in a cycle of pervasive stress and trauma. It was as if each brush stroke provided a safe place to lower the chronic stress threshold of their everyday lives.
As I mixed colors together and smeared them on the wall, I watched as the stimulating tones of vivid greens, bright yellows, glowing oranges and burning reds came to life, slowly changing the character of the room. The best part of it all was watching the children stumble into the room and shriek “mira… grrrrrrr”, as they walked over to the painted images and petted them with a welcoming endearment.
The painting looks amazing. I really liked the way you were able to transform a dull place into a brightly coloured space. I’m sure this will bring joy, peace and happiness to the children. Thank you for your inspiration and hard work. You’re an incredible person with a big heart.
mom
I’m glad I have a personal cheerleader in you mom!! However, I think it is important to note that I definitely took more away from this project, than I was able to contribute. The lessons I am learning in Peru are insights to my own ignorance. I am priviliged to be here and learning.
[…] Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life – Pablo Picasso Walking through the Yanamilla prison in Ayacucho- your hand is your passport of entry. One needs to make their way through several checkpoints, where, if deemed "suitable", your hand gets tattooed with stamps of approval to move on to the next checkpoint. The stamps are the differentiating accessory between the ones who are able to leave at the end of the day, and the … Read More […]