Artists on the Inside presents artworks created by men and women in custody across South Australia’s prisons. For many of these artists, making art serves as a communication tool, a coping mechanism and an emotional outlet. Completing a final piece can inspire pride and a strengthened sense of identity, helping artists stay connected with family, friends, and the wider community - both inside and beyond the prison walls.

The Artists on the Inside program seeks to provide insights into life within correctional facilities. By sharing these works, it challenges common assumptions about people in prison and highlights their creativity, skills, and capacity for meaningful social inclusion.

Presented as part of the SALA festival, the exhibition celebrates visual art, culture, and storytelling. The participating artists - each with their own backgrounds, experiences, and connections to the criminal justice system - share their perspectives, histories, and creativity through their work.