Peter Cameron: Artistic Convictions

In the preface, David Wilson, a former prison governor, observes: ‘“Prison Art” rarely, if ever, seems to be about the reality of prison.’ Yet Peter Cameron, who joined an art class in Walton Gaol, Liverpool, before moving to HM Prison Full Sutton near York, challenged that notion with visceral depictions of life inside. Wilson adds: ‘Peter caught the realities of prison food, masculinity, slopping out, bullying, trafficking, love, corruption and exercise’. One water colour on paper titled À la carte is evocative of prison catering, inspiring two further versions with the same title. Another watercolour on paper, titled Now Then, exudes menace, echoing Walton’s Victorian buildings. This lavishly illustrated monograph also charts Peter’s life beyond prison, as he sought to establish himself professionally. 

Nicholas Goodman is a sub-editor at the Law Society Gazette