IDENTITY and memory are the twin themes explored in a public art installation that combines photographs of tattoos belonging to inmates at Erlestoke prison and extracts of their writing.

The installation, Body of Writing, consists of two 6ft tall panelled towers, which display the backlit images and words. It is a collaboration between LLL Productions and Standard 8. The project has received Arts Council England funding.

The Body of Writing exhibition will be on view in Salisbury Cathedral’s West Cloister from Saturday (October 7).

David Kendall and Mark Hewitt of LLL Productions gathered written work on the themes of identity and memory during a series of workshops with men at the prison. These were curated with pictures taken by photographer Willie Robb featuring the inmates’ tattoos.

Sarah Rickett, the director of outreach and learning from Salisbury Cathedral, said: “Body of Writing project is a development of Penned Up, the two-week literature and performing arts festival Mark and David hosted at the prison earlier this year. Both projects demonstrate the positive impact art can have on those that are marginalised, even forgotten. It is a safety valve by which release feelings of frustration and alienation can be explored and discussed.”

There is also a creative writing workshop linked to the project. Voices from the Past, led by Jake Arnott, will explore how to get inside the minds of characters from a past time and have them speak in a way that connects with a contemporary audience. It is on October 14, 10.30am. Info: salisburycathedral.org.uk.