The System’s Grim: a wrongful conviction told through art

This is a personal account written by Cookie (a woman that APPEAL represents) about her collaboration with artist Anne Flynn. The exhibition The System’s Grim was held in Glasgow from 5th-10th June 2022.

A few months ago I was contacted by APPEAL to see if I would be interested in working with an artist called Anne Flynn. I jumped at the chance and, soon after,  Anne visited me and we discussed her work and her wider aims. Anne works with Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO) in Scotland. Like I do, she has a passion for using art as a means for bringing attention to miscarriages of justice. She also spends time giving voice to those who have experienced a wrongful conviction.

Anne created a portrait of me for her exhibition The System’s Grim. As part of that, I told her my story. I have often had the opportunity to tell my story. I am used to a variety of responses. But when talking to Anne I did not get any of the silence, shock, or empty words I have so often heard before. She met my words with empathy and sympathy. More importantly, she listened. She did not bombard me with countless questions but instead allowed me to talk freely and say whatever I wanted to say. Anne actively listened, as though   every word I spoke were adding to a tapestry within her mind. Each word valued. That in itself was a rewarding experience for me.

As Anne worked on my portrait I was keen to know what colours she would choose to use. I wondered what colours she felt would characterise me and my story. What colours would encapsulate my life. But I did not question. I merely waited until her work was completed and was displayed in her exhibition.

Additionally, Anne had seen some of the art work I had done. She asked me, and others whose portraits she’d done, if we would like to submit some of our work to her exhibition. A chance to to exhibit my own art! Art that reflected, at least in part, my story.

Cookie’s artwork was featured alongside her portrait by Anne Flynn. Credit: euan@ghostrock.scot

I chose three pieces. And, without any discussion, Anne displayed them in chronological order.

Firstly, a prison cell, created from a donated black metal frame and cardboard. A doll inside, dressed in a tracksuit made from a prison jumper from the first prison I spent time in.

Then a picture drawn by my youngest daughter during an early prison visit. A picture of me, dressed in black, wearing a prison-bib. A “mum”  picture no child should ever need to draw.

Finally a random collection of donated CDs and DVDs, glued together. Drawn on and cut out. The image of where I am now. The surface catches the light, like a tiny glimmer of hope. At the same time, the reflective surface enables the viewer to see their self in the situation. In my situation…Bound By Injustice.

It was a fantastic opportunity to work with Anne – to give a physical presence to my voice.

You can hear Cookie’s full story in our podcast, Surviving Injustice.