Enmeshed inscriptions: Reading the graffiti of Australia’s convict past

Prison graffiti, traditionally seen as markings on institutional architecture, reveals deeper 'hidden transcripts' when defined more broadly. This study uncovers recurring themes in convict graffiti from 19th-century Australian penal colonies, demonstrating that inscriptions—whether on fabric, coins, or stone—create enmeshed human-object relationships that reshape both the inscribed and the inscriber. By analyzing a range of materials beyond conventional surfaces, the research highlights how these acts of inscription serve as mental and physical processes, offering new insights into convict experiences and material culture.

Conlin Casella, E. (2014). Enmeshed inscriptions: Reading the graffiti of Australia’s convict past. Australian Archaeology, 78(1), 108–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2014.11682006