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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 6 March 2019

Alive is an initiative to engage undertrials in prisons in creative projects through colours and craft sessions, a therapeutic experience which has immensely helped the inmates relieve stress and find joy and happiness.

Editor's Note: While this may not seem at first like an article on health, we felt that this project demonstrates effectively the therapeutic effect of art and colouring and it is easy to adopt. So we spoke with Renelle Snelleksz, the force behind Project Alive.

Tell us about Project Alive

AL!VE, a Freedom Foundation initiative, is a therapeutic art project that works with undertrials in a  Mumbai jail.  The inmates are provided with a box of colour pencils and sheets of paper with creative designs which they handcolour in their own time throughout the month. The colouring process is therapeutic and provides for release, relaxation and meditation. For each sheet coloured, regardless of the quality of colouring, each inmate is paid a small sum for their effort and they often use this to purchase their toiletries and other necessities while in prison. Currently, there are roughly 200 female inmates and 45 male inmates who are a part of this initiative, each one colouring a sheet of paper every day.

This project is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who offer their time and creativity and host therapeutic craft sessions at their homes. These gatherings have developed into a community of creative folk who help convert the prisoner’s vibrant artwork into utility items, stationery and home décor products. We currently have more than 35 different product categories all uniquely handcoloured by the prison inmates. AL!VE is privileged to have the support of Corporate partners, NGO’s and individual friends to showcase these products through exhibitions and pop-up shops as it is the sale of products that helps to sustain the project.

What inspired you to start Project Alive

AL!VE emerged as a response to the need for the prison inmates to be engaged in a creative process that is therapeutic. When it started taking shape in 2010, we had not even heard of therapeutic adult colouring books that have now become a trend. Our colleague Aneela Rao suggested colouring sheets as it was the most non-threatening tool that could be given to the inmates. However, we could not have conceived of the quality of artwork that emerged from this. The prisoners’ testimonies of how the activity of colouring helped release stress from their mind and body was very encouraging to us. While colouring some also pray and find this process meditative, others find joy and take ownership in creating something new everyday. The feedback that we received from the inmates mobilised us to continue engaging with them creatively. Honestly, we could never have imagined that AL!VE would snowball into the brand that it is today.

Were the changes in moods and self-worth reflected in the art itself?

Since this is a Therapeutic Art Project and not Art Therapy we don’t delve deep into emotions or process their emotional journeys. However, when observing the colouring its really quite amazing to see an array of joyful colours and combinations that are represented despite the grim reality of being in prison for such a long time.

This process is uplifting and brings a fresh infusion of hope. The activity of colouring helps to release tension trapped in the body in a creative way. The designs connect to the natural world of birds and animals, flowers, trees and butterflies and as the inmates engage with these metaphors of life, freedom and hope they experience the therapeutic benefits of colouring. Their artwork is bright and happy and often it radically transforms the space in which it is placed as a decorative item.

They feel very proud of the artwork they painstakingly create and are moved to tears to find their colouring sheet converted into a tray or jewellery box. This builds their sense of self and motivates them to keep improving, try new combinations of shading and colour and explore new ways to develop their skill.

Quotes of a few prison residents on the use of art to create and how it helps them

AL!VE is an organization which is really a blessing to prisoners. Being locked behind bars is a nightmare, one needs to keep the mind busy by indulging in some activities

I personally was motivated by the coloring: it made me busy and thus I could not involve myself in trouble or violence; it took away my tension because once I started coloring a paper, my aim was to make it look as good as possible and to finish it, so it needed concentration to do that. In addition, time passes so fast when you are coloring. Many women prisoners who have been abandoned by their families are being helped by this activity, because of the money that is paid for that coloring. It helps them to buy soaps, biscuits, pads, and so on

For Christians like myself, I was closer with God when I was coloring, because I could easily worship and praise him and meditate on some verses. I could only think of positive things with hope that everything would be okay in due time. And it was.
- FORMER PRISON INMATE

The first three months in prison were really bad, and the world looked empty. I was always thinking and worried about my case. I had a few color pencils and I had started coloring small things even before I met AL!VE, but AL!VE put life to all that I was doing. One day a member of AL!VE asked me what I was interested in? I said that I loved colors and that I could try making something for AL!VE. She said that I did not need to make anything for ALIVE, but that she would bring me some colors the next time she came to prison. But I was not too sure if she was serious. When she came the following week and gave me all the colors and said I could do anything which pleased me, just that word and the colors motivated me. I couldn’t wait to start - and when I started, I couldn’t stop!

There are many things that I got engaged with while in prison, but it was coloring that brought a smile to my face, and peace to my heart, mind and soul. I realized that I was still alive when I finished a few products and was appreciated.
- FORMER PRISON INMATE

What do you say to people who like the art but are reluctant to buy something made by a "criminal"

We believe in second chances. The process of rehabilitation is to bring transformation into an individual’s life not to punish. Their artwork is often so symbolic of a person’s journey of transformation and that speaks louder than words.

Can you share the range of products made

Our range of products include stationery, diaries, home décor items like trays, multipurpose boxes, coasters and trivets, lamps and other accessories. We presently have a kitty of more than 35 different products at affordable prices starting at Rs 20 upto Rs 800 and more.

 

Alive is based in Mumbai and Pune. Online enquires can be made via Facebook and Instagram. Orders can be shipped throughout the country. 

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