"Light from Inside: Art from Illinois Prisons"

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

William Jones "The Devil Made Me Do It"

"I was born July 15th, 1955, in Memphis, Tennessee, the 10th child of 11. I grew up in Pittsburg, Chicago and East Saint Louis. I would like people to know that we in prison are part of America and what you do to us, you also do to yourself." - William Jones, Stateville Correctional Center

William Bracey "Before the Gods Made Her Crazy"

"When I went to prison and saw a guy doing an oil potrait, I was captivated. I'd just sit there and stare! I promised my mother that I was going to get a portrait of her painted, but this guy was so swamped with work that he kept putting me off until finally I said 'I'm gonna learn how to do this myself'" - William Bracey

Tom Odle "Falling Apart"

"I hope to prove to people and to myself that my life means something and is not as useless as the judge who sentenced me believed. I am trying to be the best person I can be, so if my family were to see me now, maybe I am someone they can be proud of. I hope I am far from the troubled child and drug user that I was 20 years ago. I hope they have forgiven me." - Thomas Odle, Lawrence Correctional Center

Roger Colllins "For Ethel"

"Unlike most artists, my work has gone from abstract to realistic rather than the reverse. I try to learn all phases of everything I see, to develop as broad a knowledge as possible." - Roger Collins, Menard Correctional Center

Robert Turner "Summer Cottage"

Robert is from the area around Carlinville in southern Illinois. He is self-taught and started to paint in prison in 1986.

Richard Nitz "Vision from Prison"

"I paint myself into my paintings as a way of escaping, if only in fantasy, the despair of the prison environment." - Richard Nitz, Menard Correctional Center

Renaldo Hudson "Underground Railroad"

"Painting allows me to come out of my cell, to rise above my surrondings. It frees me to lay paint any way I want and to express the tears of lost years" - Renaldo Hudson, Lawrence Correctional Center

Owen "Motherless Child"

Michael Sullivan "Sunshine"

"In art there are no shortcuts. In art discipline is the key." - Michael Sullivan, Stateville Correctional Center

Koppel "Egg Roll"

Kilsey Shearill "Self Potrait"

"If there were art supplies for the inmates at Tamms, then they could focus thier time in being constructive, creative and positive. This would serve as a release of stress and a way of expression." Kilsey Shearrill, Tamms Correctional Center

Jerry Ward "One-way Ticket"

James Munson "Maramike"

"I am afraid of being ostracized and shunned. But no one should have to suffer in silence with such a burden of pain as I once did." - James Munson, Menard Correctional Center

Harry Gosier "Autumn Mist"

"What does a man or woman profit if they gain the world but lose their souls? The answer is nothing." - Harry Gosier, Menard Correctional Center

George Goodman "Standing Stone"

"When I'm painting, my mind and spirit are in the piece I'm working on and free from the confines and adversities of life in prison." - George Goodman, Stateville Correctional Center

David Harris "Do You Miss Me?"

"I believe that if I can create beauty and give sight to unseen emotions, then it is possible to overcome injustices and regain a life." - David Harris, Menard Correctional Center

Darryl Simms "Sahara Sunset"

"Considering my current circumstances and living conditions, my paintings possess and transcends a certain passion through my subjects." - Darryl Simms, Hill Correctional Center

Charles McLaurin "Magnolias"

"Some of my paintings are based on personal memoirs, events and experiences, and reflecdt what I have learned about the Old World and different eras." - Charles McLaurin, Stateville Correctional Center

Charles McLaurin "Gathering Clouds"

"I have discovered that legend, mysticism, mythology, psychology, philosophy, religion and symbolism all find their way into my art." Charles McLaurin, Stateville Correctional Center

Anthony Guest "At the Marketplace"

"For me, painting is enjoyable, relaxing and helps pass the time away. I enjoy starting with nothing and creating something on my own." - Anthony Guest, Stateville Correctional Center

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Contact:
David Ornsby
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“Light from Inside: Art from Illinois Prisons”
Chicago Cultural Center August 11-September 28, 2008

Chicago, June 19, 2008 – Inmate art has interested psychologists, sociologists, writers, and sympathetic artists for decades and now that creativity is open to the general public who can view an exhibit of art created by inmates from Illinois correctional institutions. “Light from Inside: Art from Illinois Prisons” will display approximately 100 works in a variety of techniques and media at the Chicago Cultural Center, August 11 through September 28, 2008, sponsored by the John Howard Association of Illinois, the State’s only reform group.

“Light from Inside” features artists from the most restrictive Illinois prisons including Pontiac, Dwight, Menard, Stateville, Lawrence, Pinkneyville, Western, Hill and Tamms Supermax facilities. Most of the artists are long-term prisoners and “lifers” who are self-taught and have worked at their craft without the usual tools of an artist.

Members of the Art Committee of the John Howard Association, with the help of the Illinois Department of Corrections, gathered the art work from visiting prisons, meeting the prisoners and bringing the art to Chicago. “It is fascinating to visit with the artists and get the story behind their work. The work represents more than the vision; it represents an escape into another realm for the incarcerated man and woman. Many of the artists must be inventive with the medium they use since few of the prisons have art supplies,” said Cynthia Kobel, a member of the Committee.

Cornelius Ames has built a three-dimensional sculpture of a miniature fortress with bricks made out of newspaper and water, using newspaper and toothpaste for mortar. Others have used bed sheets and discarded paper as canvases. In the past, many artists used soap to create pieces of sculpture, but were ultimately prohibited from using it because the Department of Corrections deemed the use of soap “destruction of state property”. Other inmates have created art using plastic mirrors etched with staple points. Some have pieced together envelopes to create poster-size paintings. At Tamms Supermax prison the only tool for creating art is a four inch flexible ink pen tube, but men there have found that they can use Jell-O and candy to create color.

An opening reception will be held on August 18, 2008. Tickets may be purchased for $30.00 per person at the door or $25 beforehand through the John Howard Association by phoning (312) 782-1901. Wine, beer and refreshments will be served. Friends and family of the prisoners will be on hand to walk visitors through the exhibits.

“Light from Inside: Art from Illinois Prisons” will be on exhibit at the location of the John Howard Association’s Annual Luncheon on September 18, 2008 at noon.

Jeffrey D. Colman, Esq. will be the speaker at the John Howard Association of Illinois’s Annual Luncheon at noon on September 18, 2008 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Mr. Coleman is well-known as an attorney with Jenner & Block, where he has represented small and large corporations, partnerships, and class action litigation. He has represented African-American home purchases in discrimination litigation and has litigated death penalty cases in Georgia and Illinois.

Mr. Colman is currently a key member of the team of lawyers defending prisoners confined by the United States government at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

The John Howard Association of Illinois provides oversight of the state’s prisons, jails and juvenile correctional facilities. As it has for more than a century, the Association promotes fair, humane, and effective sentencing and correctional policies, addresses inmate concerns, and provides Illinois citizens and decision-makers with information needed to improve criminal and juvenile justice.