Creativity Behind Walls
Individuals who are incarcerated in jails, prisons, and civil commitment institutions have produced remarkable visual art and creative writing. This page is a highlight reel of some of the creative works housed within this archive. This page also provides background on artistic endeavors behind the wall.
Kenneth, an individual who is civilly committed in Illinois, has several pieces of poetry and song lyrics that are included in the civil commitment archive. In one letter, Kenneth shares about an “urban street suspense novel” he is writing. In another, Kenneth discusses a song he has written about death.
Kenneth’s poem, “Show Me Your Way,” was mailed in for inclusion in the archive.
There is a long tradition of artmaking and creative cultural production in prisons, jails, and detention centers. In Chicago, the Prison-Neighborhood Arts Project creatively engages individuals on both sides of prison walls. The University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project also works to facilitate artistic connections between individuals on both sides of prison walls. The Prison Arts Collective offers opportunities for creative learning and connection in California’s state universities and prisons.
Nicole Fleetwood has written a book about artmaking in prisons, which highlights the artistic work of multiple incarcerated individuals. This article highlights the works of individuals incarcerated in the United Kingdom, and this article profiles a recent exhibit at New York City’s MOMA PS1 museum.
To view Kenneth’s creative work in the archive, click here.