21. TrooRa The Special Art Issue '23 - Belfast

AS REDEMPTION Gary Mansfield’s Journey from Prison to the Heart of the Art World

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARY MANSFIELD WRITTEN BY KEVIN JAMES JEFFERY

Gary Mansfield

150 I

n the world of art, some stories transcend the canvas, brush strokes, and galleries. They are tales of transformation, redemption, and an unshakable belief in the power of creativity to change lives. The remarkable journey of Gary Mansfield is one such story – a story that weaves through prison bars, brushes with greatness, and ultimately, a triumphant return to society through art. As Gary Mansfield recalled on The Curator’s Salon Podcast by host Gita Joshi, his journey began in a place he describes as “one of those prisons you see on the telly.” It was an environment marked by violence and strife. “It wasn’t a very nice place,” he confessed.

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