INSIDE STORY David Nolan
by Shari Lett
It is my belief that each small moment in our lives contributes to the bigger picture of our experience on earth. Every day we make seemingly small decisions that have the power to change the course of our lives. In 2002, a man by the name of David Nolan made an error of judgement that would have an immeasurable impact on his future and ultimately his freedom. One mistake was the catalyst for a chain of events that would see Nolan behind bars. During his time in gaol Nolan rekindled his childhood love of art and went on to create a series of drawings that captured his surroundings, acting as an imprint of prison life. Strict routines and random searches made the simple act of creating a difficult task. Custodial Guards (Screws) kept record of every possession in a place where even drawings were considered contraband. This suite of etchings based on those drawings are the result of Nolan’s tireless effort to conceal, what for us are, everyday items. Nolan reflects on his time in prison with contrasting emotions: joy for the moments when friendships were made and sadness for the way the system works on its captives. Prison is not simply a holding yard for those who have made bad decisions, but an institution that tries to break rather than rehabilitate. It is not an enjoyable place to be by any means, and for the thousands of men, women and youths who spend a large proportion of their lives in cells restricted by the walls of what is essentially a giant cage, it can turn a bad situation into something even worse. Through all of the hardships that Nolan faced he emerged seemingly unaffected. He did not get pulled into a cycle of crime and punishment - instead he made a new life for himself. After his release Nolan re-established himself in Nowra on the south coast of NSW and went on to study Fine Art at TAFE, In 2011, Nolan won the COFA Professional Development Award and completed a semester long residency in the printmaking department, during which he created these etchings. As an artist he is naturally gifted, one of the lucky few who are able to recreate a moment in time with such precision that it mirrors a photograph. But more important than his talent is his humanity. He persevered through the years of being a captive of the system and emerged with his soul intact. These etchings are more than just an embodiment of his talent, they are a testament to his resilience, and a celebration of a man who was simply a victim of his circumstances and has gone on to make the most of his life.
Caring for the Incarcerated Exhibition Guide
Page 34
