Artist Finds New Path Through Art After Time in Jail
Topic: Art
Flick Chafer-Smith spent six years in jail before finding art.
Flick Chafer-Smith went to jail on her 18th birthday.
She spent six years in and out of jail due to drug addiction.
Art helped Flick express herself and change her life.
The Torch program helped Flick with art and culture.
About 500 artworks are in the Confined 17 exhibition.
Flick struggled with addiction and mental health from a young age.
In jail, Flick only saw herself as a criminal.
But after painting, she felt she could make a positive change.
Flick is one of 424 artists in the Confined 17 exhibition.
'Inspiration and hope'
Confined 17 shows art by First Nations artists who were in jail.
The exhibition has 500 artworks, including paintings and ceramics.
All sales go to the artists who have been released from jail.
For those still in jail, 70% of sales go to help them when they get out.
Flick leads an art group for former prisoners called Tiddas.
Flick is proud to be a mentor with the Torch program.
If you need help, you can call the Aboriginal crisis support line.
Flick visits women's prisons to help inmates with art.
Flick says helping others is a 'full circle moment'.
It gives them hope and inspiration.
Flick also leads a monthly art group for former prisoners.
A member of the Tiddas group made this art.
Flick's group helps artists achieve their goals and be independent.
'Those things fill my cup.'
Narnz says Flick helped turn her life around.
Narnz, Eli, Flick, and Ashantii are at the exhibition.
Narnz is grateful for Flick's support with her art and weaving.
Narnz now teaches people how to weave at the exhibition.
Flick's painting shows her totem animal, the pelican, in flight.
Flick's painting of the pelican is special to her.
Flick feels like her grandmother is with her in the painting.
Flick knows her grandmother would be proud of her.
Top Stories
Topic: Energy Markets
Topic: Social Media
LIVE
Analysis by Alan Kohler
Analysis by Patricia Karvelas
Related stories
Topic: Indigenous Australians
Related topics
Art
Caulfield
Crime
Indigenous Australians
VIC
Top Stories
Topic: Energy Markets
Topic: Social Media
LIVE
Analysis by Alan Kohler
Analysis by Patricia Karvelas
Just In
Topic: Courts
Topic: Meteors
Topic: Trade
Topic: Courts