In 1997 Ann Marie Kirk co-founded Art for Justice with Charles Zafir Lawson, who is serving a sentence of life without parole at Graterford Prison. Art for Justice has made it possible for Zafir’s art, and the art of other incarcerated individuals, to reach beyond the prison walls. The art has been displayed over 68 times in public venues, primarily in the greater Philadelphia area, and now can be viewed at the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia.

“Life In Suspension”

The artists from Graterford and Greene State Prisons are self-proclaimed as wrongly convicted or guilty seeking redemption. The artists who share their works aim to give to their communities something of positive value. Working in sparse quarters with poor lighting and limited supplies, these artists have produced art that touches us to the core.

Ann Marie hopes that the exhibition of prisoner art will stimulate public dialog on ways to prevent crime, reduce levels of incarceration and find effective, humane ways to improve the criminal justice system. She explains, “We display prisoner art that reaches across deep divides in our society in an effort to engage viewers in conversations about collective justice and individual worth.”

“Uncle Frank”

Art for Justice hopes to raise public awareness of critical issues and systemic flaws in the Criminal Justice and Corrections Systems such as: the death penalty, solitary confinement, juveniles serving sentences of life without parole, poor access to quality legal representation, incarceration of individuals with mental illnesses, mandatory sentencing laws, and wrongful convictions. Hopefully citizens, policy makers, and professionals in criminal justice system will work to remedy unjust and inequitable laws, policies and practices to achieve a more functional, accessible system of justice.

Visit the Philadelphia Ethical Society to view the exhibit and engage in a dialog with the artists through Viewer Response Forms. Share your visceral and emotional responses, as well as your thoughts, understandings and inspirations. To learn more, contact the Philadelphia Society of Art for Justice.