Embarking on a journey with peace, I had the opportunity to transform two prison cells into temples of tranquillity.

Before beginning the project, I used meditative techniques to cultivate inner peace. Working from this state of awareness, I remained present and connected to my body, engaging in a movement meditation through a series of creative actions. I call this practice the ‘Art of Self Reflection: Peace Medicine’.

My intention was to bring ‘Peace Medicine’ into a place marked by a dark and complex history, exploring whether presence, ritual, and conscious creativity could shift the atmosphere of the cells. Shepton Mallet Prison was the last prison in England to carry out the death penalty and is known for its ghost hunts. Many local residents have personal connections to the prison, either through family members who worked there or those who were imprisoned within its walls. Its imposing presence sits at the centre of the town.

Using painting, shamanic practice, and natural elements, I transformed the cells into spaces for contemplation, beauty, and stillness. I created an Altar of Peace and held sewing circles and meditations within the installation, inviting visitors to gather, reflect, and experience calm within an environment historically associated with fear and confinement. Inspiration came from a quote on the prison wall by Neville Chamberlain calling for ‘peace in our lifetimes’. Visitors often spoke of immediately feeling at ease within the cells and were curious about how the atmosphere had been altered.

The project also became a personal journey of reflection. Spending time alone inside Shepton Mallet Prison allowed me to develop compassion for those who had lived there, while also confronting aspects of my own history. The project became a meditation on transformation, revealing how spaces marked by pain can also hold the possibility of healing.