Exclusive look at final paintings of Bali Nine ringleader
FIRST ON 7: After hearing he had lost his final bid for mercy, Bali Nine ringleader Myuran Sukumaran painted about his impending death.
For the first time, 7News can show you those dark and moving artworks, possibly his last.
It is about how Myuran Sukumaran sees his death - a self portrait, with what appears to be his spirit leaving his body.
On the left is Indonesia's death island, Nusa Kembangan, where he has been transferred for execution, and this is where he will be shot by firing squad.
These paintings were done in a frenzy of work in the darkest hours after he learned he, and fellow drug smuggler Andrew Chan had lost their bid for clemency.
"He is contemplating many things and I see a darkness, but I also see a process," artist Tina Bailey told 7News.
Bailey is part of the rehabilitation program set up by Sukumaran and Chan inside Kerobakan.
Former prisoner and drug addict Klement Tameno is a student. He says that because of the two men, he is now a painter, and clean.
"They saved me," Klement said. "They helped me."
Myuran Sukumaran's students are now so accomplished in their own right they plan to sell their paintings at auction, and put the money back into the rehabilitation program at Kerobakan.
The auction was planned for yesterday, but was stopped at the last minute by prison authorities concerned about its links to the Bali Nine.
"It's a tense time so I respect everything," auction organiser Oivind Klungseth Zahlsen said.
Chan and Sukumaran's execution could still be months away, while Tina Bailey still hopes it will never happen.
"I have not given up," she said.
