Reading Gaol, Where Oscar Wilde Was Imprisoned, Was Repurposed For Art

A location of pain has been transformed into a hub of artistic ferment beneath Gothic arches and metal walkways. Oscar Wilde, the renowned author of The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray, was found guilty of homosexual behavior in 1895 and sentenced to two years in prison, spending most of that time in the notorious Reading Gaol.

While serving his sentence at Reading Gaol, Wilde was subjected to filthy circumstances and strenuous physical work. His well-known poem, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, which he finished after his release, was inspired by the dismal two-year imprisonment. The prison, afterwards known as HM Prison Reading, remained in use until 2013. It is situated around 40 miles west of downtown London. It was transformed into an art display as part of a two-month project in 2016 that included readings and exhibits on topics related to incarceration and segregation.