Reuben Abraham is Helping Bring Mindfulness to Prisons

Reuben is an engineer, designer, artist and entrepreneur on a mission to reintroduce creative non-digital tools for focus, mindfulness, calm and mental wellbeing. We spoke to him about his micro-commission...

1. What inspired you to apply for the Wandsworth Cultural Micro-commission, and how did it feel to be selected? 

I was thrilled to be selected, especially given the wealth of talented artists and performers in Wandsworth. One of the themes for Welcome to Wandsworth—'Creative Health and Well-Being'—was a key factor in my decision to apply. Through the program, I hoped to raise awareness of alternative tools that support mental wellbeing and create something that could benefit Wandsworth's residents in a meaningful way.

While mandala painting isn't a traditional performing art, I was drawn to creating something participatory rather than passive—an experience where people could actively engage and develop a mindfulness practice in their daily lives.

2. Why did you choose to partner with HMP Wandsworth, and have there been any surprises or challenges during the project?

I had previously worked with hospitals in London, providing my journals to recovering patients. I'm currently in the early stages of a project using mandala painting for stroke rehabilitation. I wondered where else I could make a meaningful impact.

I cycle past HMP Wandsworth frequently, and it struck me that its residents couldn't participate in London Borough of Culture events, despite living in the borough. Since they couldn't come to the events, I thought perhaps I could bring the events to them.

The main challenge has been navigating the authorization process—finding someone within the prison service who has both the authority to approve this project and the commitment to facilitate it. Ironically, this institutional barrier reflects what the residents themselves face: limited access to wellbeing resources and few advocates championing their needs. Through persistent outreach, I connected with prison art charity organizations, whose support and advice has been crucial in getting the wheels rolling on the project.

3. Why did you choose mindfulness painting and journaling as the focus of your micro-commission?

I started practising meditation and yoga over 10 years ago to manage the stresses of working in investment banking in the US. While breathing exercises are very beneficial, painting offers something equally therapeutic but more tangible and universally approachable.

Mandala painting in particular offers a beautiful entry point. Mandalas hold deep spiritual significance in Hindu and Buddhist traditions and have been used for thousands of years as a creative tool to practise focus and mindfulness. Every mandala is unique and reflects the creator's personality and choices.

The journaling component allows participants to reflect on their experience and aids in goal-setting and future planning. The core tenet is simple: what is measured can be managed. Together, these practices create a toolkit for ongoing self-awareness and growth.

4. How do you hope your project will impact the prisoners and staff who will participate? 

Studies have consistently shown that art and journaling-based interventions reduce repeated convictions. My hope is that participants discover a practical tool for managing stress and cultivating mindfulness that they can continue practising independently, both during and after their incarceration.

For staff, I hope it offers insight into alternative approaches to wellbeing within the prison environment and shows the potential of creative interventions.

More broadly, I see this as a pilot program to introduce more therapy-based creative practices in prisons. My hope is that other prisons across London and the UK can start incorporating art and mindfulness into their rehabilitation programming. Ideally, I would want to help create a system whereby prison residents can support their families by monetizing their art and personal stories—transforming creative expression into both therapeutic practice and practical livelihood.

5. Where is your hometown?

I'm originally from Kerala, a small state in Southern India. We call ourselves 'God's Own Country'—perhaps immodestly—because of our rich biodiversity, palm-lined beaches, and backwaters. This little state has everything from Bengal tigers to elephants to king cobras.

I moved to Philadelphia for my undergraduate studies when I was 18 and worked in banking until 2022, when I moved to London to pursue a dual Masters degree in design from Imperial College and the Royal College of Art.

6. Do you have any tips you’d like to share about winter wellbeing?

There's this notion that meditation requires hours of cross-legged stillness and breathing, but small doses work beautifully as well. Try 2-3 minutes of box breathing: inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5, exhale for 5, hold for 5, and repeat. Do this while commuting or waiting for your tea to brew—it makes a tremendous difference in regulating your emotions and your nervous system.

I'd also recommend journaling to process winter's heavier moods. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer free beginner programmes, or simply keep a notebook for evening reflections. Consistency matters more than duration—small rituals compound over time.