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11/9/2012

Prisoner Art for Social Justice

The Arts Center at John Jay College, New York

curated by Thalia Vrachopoulos

The Arts Center @ John Jay at 59th Street and 11th Avenue, New York, inaugurates its space with the first exhibition, Prisoner Art for Social Justice, curated by Dr. Thalia Vrachopoulos, from September 10th through October 19th, 2012 with an opening reception on Wednesday September 12th from 5-7PM. This show continues in the Gerald Lynch Theater Lobby, Haaren Hall, at 10th Avenue between 58-59th Street.

The artworks in the exhibit are from Art for Justice, a Pennsylvania based non-profit organization. Founded in 1997, Art for Justice supports prisoner art to stimulate dialogue on ways to prevent crime, reduce levels of incarceration, and find humane, effective ways to improve the criminal justice and corrections systems.

Featured in the show are paintings by 11 artists from Graterford and Greene State Correction Institutions in Pennsylvania. The artists are self-proclaimed as wrongfully convicted or guilty, seeking redemption. The artists (with the exception of one) are either serving sentences of life without parole or have received the death penalty.

The exhibition spans a broad range of art media, from the traditional oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings to one painted with coffee and one with toothpaste & markers. The works also include a comic book series titled “Death Row Comics” and various other works done in mixed media.

Reflecting on the achievement of the organization’s 56th art display, Art for Justice Director Ann Marie Kirk said the organization has helped raise awareness and create public dialogue about serious issues in the criminal justice system including wrongful convictions, mandatory sentencing, the improper use of isolation units, juveniles serving life sentences, and incarcerated individuals with serious mental illnesses. She also said the organization has had an impact on helping youth avoid destructive and violent behavior through Art for Justice’s Road Map for Life Workshops.

One of the artists, Charles H. Lawson, also known as “Zafir,” is co-founder of Art for Justice. He said in creating and displaying his artworks he has two goals: one is to inspire youth to look to their own talents and turn away from violence, and the other is hope.

“It is my hope that in viewing my artwork viewers will recognize that even in prison there are individuals who have worth and have something to contribute to their communities. I believe redemption is possible, even for those who are long term offenders,” said Lawson.

Where do incarcerated individuals get their inspiration to make art, find the strength to create while possibly awaiting death? Kirk states that “Creating art while incarcerated can function as self expression, communication, survival, social commentary and protest.” Working under conditions of tight, sparse quarters, poor lighting, limited supplies, and controlled time schedules, these artists produced art that touches us to the core.

The Prisoner Art for Social Justice exhibit provides us with an opportunity to open a thought-provoking dialog pointing to further investigation of the system and its policies. What sort of human rights do we tolerate for the incarcerated? And what can our systems and their underlying principles show us about human rights?

opening reception on Wednesday September 12th from 5-7PM

The Arts Center@John Jay
59th Street and 11th Avenue, New York
Mon-Fri 9-5PM unless closed for special event
Free admission

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