Incarcerated Artists: "Professional in their own right"
At an event hosted by Yale Law School and Yale Art School, incarcerated artists found a space to share their creativity. I have not spent much time thinking about the criminal legal system, but it was always a topic I wanted to explore. The Schell Center for International Human Rights focused on Art as Advocacy, and this event featured three artists: Orlando O Smith, Kwaneta Harris, and Tomiekia Johnson, who were, respectively, an incarcerated graphic artist, writer, and curator. I was surprised by the spark each speaker displayed in their voice: despite the cold beeps counting down the limited phone minutes and the frequent mentions of solitary confinement, each artist spoke proudly of their work.Â
It was heartbreaking to hear that the two women in prison were victims of longstanding domestic abuse. Despite the ruthless media and separation from family, the two women viewed themselves as worthy survivors with stories to share. Still, among all three artists, I was shocked to hear about their motivation to work and to create light even in the darkest places. They proved the power of art in any situation. Even when dignity was taken from them, their craft allowed them to feel "professional in their own right." For example, Kwaneta Harris still writes to expose the criminal legal system's perpetuation of sexual abuse and inadequate menstrual care.Â
“Don’t give up on your dreams. Create with no barriers”
 “It’s all about using the positive energy”
“Stay focused on what you want to do. Never give up.”
“Keep challenging yourself"Â
“Like the wolverine got the x-men, I got y’all.”
“The one thing I still have power and control over are my ideas and imagination”
“I can’t control many things, but I can control whose voices I empower in my writing.”​​​​​​​
