Confined 16

May 23 to June 22 2025
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ARTWORKS SOLD: 288/452
To see available works only, please click here.

The Torch is delighted to present the sixteenth annual Confined exhibition featuring 400 artworks by 400 First Nations artists whose lives have been impacted by the criminal legal system in Victoria. Each artwork resonates with connection—to Country, to Ancestors, to culture—and speaks to the enduring strength of identity and community.

The artworks and accompanying artist stories explore themes of darkness, light and the balance between struggle and resilience, confinement, and freedom.

Alongside a salon hang of extraordinary paintings, the exhibition will feature weavings created during women’s circles, didgeridoos innovatively made from matchsticks, carved emu eggs illuminated by light as well as hand-tufted rugs expressing Country and the land on which we walk.

Since 2009, Confined has provided a dedicated space for First Nations people who have been incarcerated in Victoria to share their stories, culture and lived experiences through art. The exhibition series serves as a poignant reflection on the disproportionate representation of First Nations Australians in our criminal legal system, underscoring the urgent need for change.

Presented as a major component of The Torch Statewide Indigenous Arts In Prisons and Community Program, Confined 16 continues The Torch’s commitment to improve the cultural, social, emotional, and financial wellbeing of First Nations program participants, empowering them to find new pathways beyond the criminal legal system.

Explore Confined 16 at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Monday to Friday 10am–5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 1pm–5pm. Entry is free.

Artwork will be available to purchase online and at the exhibition. 100% of the artwork price goes directly to the artist.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

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Live Art with artists from The Torch – Every Saturday & Sunday 1-4 pm, free, no booking required

Exhibition Tours with The Torch – Every Thursday & Saturday 2 pm, free, no booking required

Storytime session for children with Eva Jo Edwards – 27 May from 10.30–11am, free, no booking required

Floor talk with The Torch Artistic Director, Kent Morris and an artists from The Torch – Thursday 29 May, 1 pm, free, register here

Weaving workshop facilitated by artist, Alisha F. – Sunday 1 June 1–3 pm, $5, register here

Weaving workshop facilitated by artist, Alisha F. – Sunday 8 June 10am–12 pm, $5, register here

Sunday Session: Performance by Olivia Meg – Sunday 8 June 2–4 pm, free, no booking required

Weaving workshop facilitated by artist, Alisha F. – Friday 20 June 1–3pm, $5, register here

 

EXHIBITION RESOURCES

Artworks

1
$460
2
$350
3
$720
4
$410
5
$470
6
$710
7
$710
8
$440
9
$440
10
$970
11
$260
12
$860
13
$390
14
$590
15
$520
16
$390
17
$430
18
$470
19
$370
20
$450
21
$600
22
$510
23
$330
24
$720
25
$260
26
$620
27
$300
28
$450
29
$460
30
$1020
31
$300
32
$450
33
$470
34
$510
35
$350
36
$740
37
$10000
38
$440
39
$440
40
$450
41
$840
42
$360
43
$460
44
$440
45
$450
46
$710
47
$430
48
$910
49
$480
50
$300
51
$290
52
$350
53
$490
54
$590
55
$610
56
$450
57
$720
58
$730
59
$610
60
$1000
61
$470
62
$610
63
$720
64
$510
65
$440
66
$450
67
$610
68
$610
69
$750
70
$700
71
$230
72
$6510
73
$460
74
$400
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$850
76
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80

Artist Stories

Aalayah

Alisha F

J.Riley

James H

Jeza and B.P.G.

Visitor Comments

IVAIS
Creative Australia
Justice VIC
Creative Victoria
Margaret Lawrence Bequest
Highland Foundation
Australian Communities Foundation
Melbourne Rd Art & Canvas Stretching
Melbourne Water
Levantine Hill
Capi
Decently Exposed
grace fine art
The Guardian
The Saturday Paper
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