A new exhibition presented by Libertine Pete Doherty will open at Platform Gallery in Glasgow on Wednesday 22nd September 2021. The explorative exhibition will provide an intimate insight into a prisoner’s life and will focus on themes of prison reform, rehabilitation and redemption.

Doherty has taken to Twitter to announce the news.

Peter Doherty v Barlinnie prison is an exhibition exploring prison reform, rehabilitation and redemption between Scottish prisoners and Peter.

Tickets here: https://t.co/H6gEZ0TOny pic.twitter.com/wP4mEKqR3Z

— Peter Doherty (@petedoherty) June 16, 2021

The exhibition entitled ‘Peter Doherty V Barlinnie Prison’ will feature art created during a one-day workshop attended by inmates of Barlinnie prison. Eleven prisoners will be chosen to attend the class, those chosen to take part are from various walks of life, each with their own story to convey. Those involved are from diverse backgrounds, communities and education, the prisoners will also range in ages from 19-65. The budding artists will attend the class in July 2021 and will be using Doherty as the subject of their life drawings. The creative event will take place at Fife College, within the college’s art rooms. The art produced by the eleven attendees will be displayed alongside artwork created by Doherty which exhibit the singer’s impact on popular culture and display his place within the zeitgeist, each artwork will also be chosen by the exhibition’s curator Joe Henry.

Joe Henry, who is also an artist, is no stranger to working with rockstars. The exhibition’s curator has produced work inspired by such names as David Bowie, The Clash and fashion icon Alexander McQueen. Hailing from Scotland himself, Henry has spoken on what ticket holders can expect from his exhibition with Doherty, Henry also speaks of his admiration for Doherty and compares the singer to the revolutionary artist Jean Michel Basquiat.

“I’ve always been a fan of Pete Doherty. His poetry and his music have influenced a generation. His artwork has the same chaotic punk energy of his sound and is similar in style to the art of Jean Michel Basquiat. This exhibition will see Pete on a different platform, behind the prison gates of Scotland’s toughest prison, Barlinnie. Working with mixed media artists, using Doherty as their canvas to work from. We are hoping by staging this event, that this will inspire the participating artists on their road to recovery and bring the conversation of prison reform to a bigger audience.”

Barlinnie Prison, colloquially called The Big Hoose and Bar-L by locals, has a history of reform in prison. In 1967 an extension was built on the prison and is now a special unit which specialises on rehabilitation. The governor of the prison, Mick Stoney, has also spoken about the new exhibition. Stoney further emphasises the positive effect in which art has within life in prison.

“Art in prison provides the opportunity for expression and is a form of coping, creating something positive and a chance for the men to see themselves as something different. This project provides an injection of energy that prisons often need to support engagement and change. The chance to have their art displayed publicly will be affirmation that they can create a new identity and have the skill to contribute positively, a unique project which I hope leads to positive outcomes for all involved”.

Other features at the exhibition include a Disco Punk DJ Set from Doherty and Bosco on the opening night, the chance to see the work from photographers Sarah Thompson and Pauline Darley and an essay written by Christopher Bailey. Bailey is the head of art at World Health Organisation, an agency tasked with the responsibility for international public health. His essay will be part of an introduction to the exhibition, which focuses on the importance of creative activities within confinement as a form of freedom and healing.

Doherty is famously no stranger to ‘chaotic punk energy’, the ‘What a Waster’ performer was in prison himself. Even more famous than the singer’s wild youth is Doherty’s use of words. He has been compared to many literary figures and has been described as a present-day Jack Kerouac, the famed writer of the 1957 novel ‘On the Road’ who would become famed for his wild life as well as his talent. With such talent and experience behind him, Doherty is the perfect figure in which to spread the exhibition’s message of reform and hope.

The Libertines UK Tour

20/11/2021 – Margate Winter Gardens – Margate
25/11 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
26/11 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
27/11 – The Nick Rayns LCR – Norwich
29/11 – O2 Academy Birmingham – Birmingham
30/11 – O2 Academy Leeds – Leeds
01/12 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
03/12 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
04/12 – Mountford Hall – Liverpool
06/12 – Manchester Academy – Manchester
07/12 – O2 Academy Leicester – Leicester
09/12 – The Great Hall – Cardiff
10/12 – O2 Forum – London
11/12 – O2 Forum – London
13/12 – O2 Academy – Bristol
14/12 – Rock City – Nottingham
16/12 – O2 Academy – Sheffield