I saw the god's gift to a man with a paint brush

The 1996 Conservation Management Plan references an artwork in B Division: "A large painting, depicting a jungle scene in the style of Henri Rousseau, by then-prisoner Geoffrey Harris (1989), hangs in the corridor."

The painting bears a distinct stylistic and thematic resemblance to The Dream, by Henri

Rousseau.

During the prison's operation, the painting was reportedly displayed in A Division.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to determine its current location.

"I saw the god's gift to a man with a paint brush. I gave him permission to use a separate room for his paintings. A very good time between us two", says Colin Nash, a former A Division assistant Governor.

In 1992, Harris displayed an untitled painting he did while in Pentridge. His was among more than 90 works by former and present inmates of three prisons in an exhibition at the National Gallery.

detail of Harris' painting (CHS Collection)

The Age, 23 June 1992. Photo: Andrew de la Rue

Harris painting in A Division. (CHS Collection)