Outside the Box – Mandem

Mandem is both a campaign and a research and development project towards a web drama highlighting the current realities of prisoner experiences under Covid-19. John will curate a six-week campaign of podcast discussions and provocations with ex-prisoners and young men who have difficulties with the law. ‘The ‘MANDEM’ project will centre around mental health, identity and justice – culminating in a web drama, Belly of the Beast, to be showcased online. As a campaign, ‘MANDEM’ will use various artistic forms to bring about a shared awareness of societal inequalities, the British prison experience, mental health and Covid-19. Born and raised in East London, carrying with him a West African (Nigeria) heritage, John Akinde (also known as OSOM) creates work that seeks to entertain, challenge and provoke thought. Having developed his craft at a community youth club, learning how to engineer sound and produce creative projects and ideas, he has since undertaken commissions from Huffpost, Metro, the BBC, Sky Arts and more. As an entreprenuer, writer and musician, OSOM’s mission is to tell stories and make provocations through creative expression.