SHOOTING YOUNG OFFENDERS

This summer is proving to be an eye opener for a local Leeds photographer who has moved from the corporate world and given up her summer to capture the lives of several young offenders on an artistic project, documenting their personal journeys through a combination of images, blog posts and film.

Developing a social documentary on 'A Different Window' – based on the idea that if the young people see the world differently, they will react to it differently, this transitional project is a new path for Kirsteen Ashton, mapping her move from corporate and commercial photography to becoming a 'reporter' of society, via photography.

Running over a 6 week period, the Summer Arts College, held at the Serendipity Art Centre, Batley, and in partnership with Kirklees Youth Offending Team, aims to challenge young people aged 14 to 18 years old. Now in it's third week, Kirsteen has so far managed to capture a number of insightful shots, simultaneously capturing the fragility of seemingly 'tough' youths, whilst portraying their successes in a variety of natural scenes, ranging from scriptwriting and physical theatre to puppet stitching and poetry.

Believing in the power of the 'creative process' gallery owner and project arts leader Sue Ellis believes that this course, now in it's third year, is an imperative element which will help to unlock and manage the turbulent emotions of these young individuals, threading their futures in a different direction.

'A Different Window' will culminate in the screening of a short film about the dangers of M-CAT made by the young people, alongside an exhibition of the young people's artwork as well as Kirsteen's photographs and an accompanying book.

This project also aims to transform the general misconceptions of these young people. Kirsteen commented “when you look beyond the attitude, they are all someone's daughter or someone's son. With the recent rise in public angst amidst the planned removal of ASBO's my project will highlight the capabilities of young offenders, showing that with the right guidance, their energy can be positively channelled.”

Kirsteen's photographic documentary of their progress has been popular amongst the group “they are always keen to see photographs of themselves and their friends. They have forged some strong bonds with each other, which will hopefully strengthen as the project progresses”.

To follow the journey of these young people, and to view some of Kirsteen's shots visit http://kirsteenashton.wordpress.com/ further details will be posted regarding the final exhibition.

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Notes to Editor
For more information see http://kirsteenashton.wordpress.com/
Images attached

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Jamila Juma-Ware
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