o.T. - Biograpfisches Arbeiten

The art project in the JVA Herford with Anna Degenkolb is part of the multi-year project "wechselweise".

In cooperation with the closed JVA Herford, an art project by artist Anna Degenkolb with imprisoned young people is being carried out.

The penal system for juveniles is also a place of refugee problems. Juveniles from Syria, Morocco and other countries are imprisoned there. The problem: prejudices, shame and communication problems lead to speechlessness and enormous tension. Many young people find it difficult to fit into a group and to communicate.

In the "Atelier Frei-Raum" (= Studio free space) project, young people are offered a studio of fine arts to open up a free space for them, to try out artistically, to discover their creativity in a playful way, to develop ideas, to implement them and to "stick with them". The ultimate goal is not the resulting product, but rather the activity on and with things, the process of creation itself.

Biographical memories, questions about one's own roots and identity find a pictorial form in the exchange, in the confrontation with oneself and one's counterpart.

The studio is offered for leisure activities during the week and in longer block units also on weekends.
Fortunately, the project is accompanied by Ms. Nicole Sonnenbaum (project management at the Herford Prison for Prison Culture).