Art by Prisoners Featured in New Exhibition at Kean University
UNION, N.J. — An exhibition featuring art created by inmates is now on display at Kean University in Union, N.J. Cellblock Visions: Prison Art in America, curated by Phyllis Kornfeld, includes 60 works by men and women imprisoned in jails and penitentiaries across six states.
A gallery reception will be held on Tuesday, April 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery on Kean’s Union campus. Admission to the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Cellblock Visions: Prison Art in America will be on display through July 23, 2018.
"It is great to see the amazing creativity that these incarcerated artists have found within themselves," said Neil Tetkowski, director of Kean Galleries.
Kornfeld has been working directly with prisoners around the country for more than 35 years in all levels of security, county jail, maximum security and death row—providing the transformative experience of art. In addition to traditional art forms, the inmates have created prison folk arts, fine paintings, drawings and other objects.
“Creativity, truth and goodness can be elicited just as violence can,” said Kornfeld. “These artists tell the truth, without self-consciousness, unfettered by concepts and theory.”
Cellblock Visions: Prison Art In America
Now through July 23
Karl & Helen Burger Gallery
Kean University
1000 Morris Ave. Union, N.J.
Gallery Hours: Monday—Friday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.kean.edu/galleries, email galleries@kean.edu or call (908) 737-0392.
PHOTO/CAPTION:
Now through July 23, an exhibition featuring 60 works created by men and women imprisoned in jails and penitentiaries across six states is on display at the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery at Kean University in Union. Pictured: Braulio Diez, "Condominium," acrylic
Millie Gonzalez
University Relations
mgonzale@kean.edu | (908) 737-0586
KEAN GALLERIES CONTACT:
Neil Tetkowski
Director of Kean Galleries
ntetkows@kean.edu | (212) 255-1850