Artwork from UK’s most notorious prisoner on sale for $267,000

By James Gamble

A huge collection of artworks from Britain's most notorious prisoner, Charles Bronson, is set to go on sale - and could fetch as much as $267,000.

Bronson, described as the most violent and dangerous individual in the British Prison system, developed an interest in art around 10 years after he was first incarcerated more than half a century ago.

A collection of 500 of the now 73-year-old's best works is now set to be sold by auctioneers Duggleby Stephenson later this month.

As part of the auction, Bronson opened up about the serious nature of his works, saying: "I'm an artist, not a clown."

The collection, believed to be the most comprehensive group of Bronson's prison works ever to appear at auction, has an estimated total sale value of between $100,000 and $200,000.

Bronson, real name Charles Arthur Salvador, was first jailed in 1974 at the age of 22, when he was given seven years for an armed robbery.

He went on to stage a series of attacks and hostage taking situations involving other inmates, guards and prison officials that eventually resulted in a life sentence - much of which has been spent in solitary confinement.

Two of the most shocking incidents involving Bronson occurred at HMP Hull.

In 1994, he held the deputy governor of the prison hostage for five hours.

Five years later, in 1999, he took a visiting art teacher hostage after he criticized one of his drawings.

The 44-hour standoff that ensued led to him being given a life sentence.

Coralie Thomson, a Specialist Valuer at Duggleby Stephenson, said: "Bronson began to develop an interest in sketching and drawing almost ten years into his incarceration, an interest that developed into a passion that has lasted for more than forty years.

"The massive collection going under the hammer on Wednesday (11/03) - over 500 drawings, sketches, ink compositions and works on paper - began when our vendor picked up a single Bronson picture twenty years ago.

"They not only became an avid collector, but also began corresponding with Bronson, establishing a relationship that has enabled them to discuss art and Bronson’s ideas.

"Critical opinion of Bronson's art could scarcely be wider - everything from 'a raw genius inviting us to explore the complexities of the human condition' through to 'simplistic cartoons'.

"However one of the most fascinating aspects of the preparation of this unique auction has been that, through the collector, we have been able to pose questions to Bronson, who is now held in a specialist close supervision centre at Woodhill Prison in Buckinghamshire, about his art."

Thomson explained how Bronson revealed that pursuing his interest has often been fraught with difficulty.

At time, prisons have refused to give him materials - pens, crayons, card - and denied requests to post his drawings and sketches to family and friends on the outside.

"Bronson said he is still very limited in what materials he can and can't have and actually dreams of creating oils on canvas," Thomson continued.

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"When we asked if he views much of his work as satire or humour, he replied: 'I don't do humour art. I'm an artist not a clown. My art is brutal, it bleeds, it screams. It's basically saying free me - let me die a free man."

"He expressed his pride that his work sells - although he is not permitted to benefit personally from the sale of his drawings and sketches - and he revealed that he is particularly pleased that his art raises thousands of pounds for charitable causes.

"The decision has been taken to keep this unique collection together and so all 500 drawings and sketches the auction - Charles Bronson; Expression in Confinement - are being sold as a single lot.

"The pre-sale estimate is £100,000 - £200,000."

During a Q&A session before the auction of his works, Bronson said he was an 'angry lost soul' before art found him.

"Art just crashed into my crazy world," he said.

"[I was a] very late starter. Before art found me, I was a very angry lost soul.

"I never rush my art as to me it’s magical. I use it to express my feelings, I release all my frustrations.

"Some jails have refused me materials - pens, crayons, card etc - and also denied me posting it out to family and friends.

"It’s why I had my own registered charity set up, run by my power of attorney Richard Booth. My art now raises thousands for charity.

"When I started my creations I always try to expose the system for what it really is, a complete disgrace - cold and empty.

"I don’t do humour art. I’m an artist and not a clown. My art is brutal, it bleeds, it screams. It’s basically saying free me – let me die a free man.

"I’m not really into fame. I create for me. If people like it then good on them. It definitely sells, collectors love it but the system hates it.

"My art has rehabilitated me. I’m a better man – stronger, more passionate."

On his upcoming auction, Bronson added: "It’s a very proud moment when it sells – I feel part of the human race.

"If you have one of my creations, then you have part of my world.

"Art gives me a sense of purpose, it frees my demons, it’s my future outside – I can make a good honest living out of it.

"I would say to anybody seeing my art for the first time, please study it and you will see a lot of confusion and pain in it.

"That’s my life you’re looking at. I am a lifer."

Duggleby Stephenson's online auction of Bronson's works takes place on Wednesday, March 11, at 2pm.