'Do or die': Flick's journey from jail to artist and First Nations mentor

I can be known for a different reason.'Ms Chafer-Smith is among 424 artists featured in Confined 17, an exhibition running at Glen Eira Town Hall and organised by The Torch.Confined 17 is the 17th annual exhibition showcasing the work of First Nations artists with lived experience of incarceration in Victoria.The 500 or so artworks, which include paintings, weaving, ceramics and carved emu eggs, address themes of kinship, healing, ancestral stories and life journeys.One hundred per cent of exhibition sales go directly back to the artists who have already been released.For those still incarcerated, 70 per cent is withheld to help them integrate back into the community after they complete their jail terms.Apart from her artistic success, Flick is most proud of her role as a First Peoples mentor with the Torch.She regularly visits women's prisons in Victoria to help guide other inmates on their own art-led journey of redemption."It's a full circle moment, being able to support those that are going through what I've been through," Ms Chafer-Smith explained."It gives them that inspiration and hope that they might not have had before."She also convenes a monthly art group for former prisoners."The group is called Tiddas, the word for sister It's incredible seeing my artists thrive and achieve their goals in life: being able to be independent, never looking back towards jail," Ms Chafer-Smith said."Those things really fill my cup."One of the artists she's mentored, Narnz, credits her friend Flick for turning her life around."It was absolutely amazing to have someone that's walked in my shoes and be a support for my art and my weaving