Zinsser Allcoat Exterior adds colour to Dendermonde prison

The prison complex in Dendermonde has been given a coat of Zinsser. Graffiti artists Maarten De Smet and Joni Van Nieuwenhuyse painted a mural on two bare concrete walls. They used Zinsser® Allcoat Exterior to do this. Discover their approach and the stunning end result! 

In 2022, a new prison was built in Dendermonde. The ultra-modern, star-shaped building covers 41,000 square metres and has space for 444 prisoners. On both sides of the building there are two large courtyards for the prisoners to relax in. Each courtyard is separated from the outside world by a large concrete wall measuring 80 metres long and 5 metres high.

Until recently, these exterior walls looked rather bare and so they needed some colour to them, and not just any colour! The prison administrators enlisted the help of graffiti artists Maarten De Smet (LOVES) and Joni Van Nieuwenhuyse (PLUR) for this project. They often work together despite the fact that they have different styles and approaches.

Because of the very atypical environment, much more planning and thought was needed to make everything run as efficiently as possible. Maarten and Joni had to take into account the wishes of both the prison staff and the inmates. The latter group was allowed to come up with ideas and even help with the painting. 

‘We noticed that the inmates wanted symbolism that reflects their current situation. We wanted to keep it a little lighter, but the prisoners felt strongly that we should not do that. Almost all the elements and ideas came from the prisoners. We then translated these into our own style and possibilities’, Joni explains. 

Maarten and Joni were only allowed to work on the walls for short periods of time. The surface itself also posed a challenge as it is not only made from concrete, but also metal. This meant they risked having to buy different paints, which is not only a waste of time and money, but can also result in colour differences.

That is why it was important for Maarten and Joni to choose a paint product that would save them time without compromising on quality and why they opted for Zinsser® Allcoat Exterior, a primer and topcoat in one based on pure acrylic resin. Allcoat Exterior has been specially developed to be applied to a wide variety of surfaces, including concrete and metal. Allcoat Exterior can also be painted over after an hour and can be applied without sanding, which saves a lot of time.

Joni explains why they chose Allcoat Exterior: ‘By using Allcoat Exterior, we were able to continue painting without having to use different types of paint. Thanks to its excellent colour retention, the colour remained consistent across all surfaces and because the primer and topcoat are the same colour, it was clear to us and the inmates from the very first coat what needed to be done.’ 

Joni also praises the drying time and coverage. ‘The fast drying and great coverage of Allcoat Exterior meant that we were able to apply several coats in quick succession. It also made it possible to outline our drawings over other colours. Those lines dried within the hour so we could carry on quickly. Finally, we only had to apply two coats. With traditional paint, we would have had to apply a primer and then two coats of colour.’

After purchasing Allcoat Exterior and all the other materials, they were ready to start the murals. For the finish, Maarten and Joni chose fresh and pleasant colours to create a nice contrast to the bare concrete. 

They decided to go along with the wishes of the inmates, but at the same time give the design an imaginative twist. For the western wall, they chose the theme “fauna and flora”, which can be interpreted as “freedom”. Here we see, among other things, a blooming rose, a large elephant and the head of an eagle.

For the eastern wall, they went with “underwater” as a theme. It contains the symbolism of “trapped beneath the surface of the water” that the prisoners requested. This includes, among other things, a large octopus gripping a submarine. Despite the more sombre twist of the underwater theme, the elements are also open to other interpretations.

The end result is certainly impressive. The 80-metre-long and 5-metre-high walls now look completely different. Maarten and Joni are satisfied: ‘It's always special to see our preliminary designs, which we first make on an A4, become reality on such a large surface.’

The prison guards are also satisfied. Joni explains: ‘You're working with extremely committed people here who aren't just here to earn a living, but who are genuinely striving to find solutions to reintegrate these men into society. We're glad that we've been able to do our bit.’

What about the inmates? They appreciate the pleasant atmosphere created by the new outer walls. They no longer stand in stark contrast to the inner walls of the prison, which already had been painted in different colours. ‘The collaboration with the inmates far exceeded our expectations. We saw that they were proud to participate’, says Joni. 

‘It’s still a prison, of course. And because we were painting here every day, we gained a unique insight into the life of a prisoner. It's difficult to put into words, but it does make you think’, Joni concludes.

Would you like to use Zinsser® Allcoat Exterior for a project yourself? You can find it at a retailer in your area!

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