Televised Revolution: Working Towards Criminal Justice Reform Through Art

America is heralded as both the capital of consumerism and commercialization, with the highest GDP in the world, and the capital of mass incarceration, with the highest prison population in the world. Criminal justice reform is long overdue, and though underpaid prison labor plays a role in American production, those convicted of a crime are still treated as unvalued members of society. A simple campaign that focuses on viewing convicts as fellow citizens and humans and paying them fair wages for their production is necessary in order to achieve criminal justice reform. 

"Televised Revolution" aims to feature artwork by artists who are currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or have otherwise been affected by the U.S. criminal justice system, with a particular focus on artists of color. The exhibition will draw the relationship between American consumerism and criminal justice reform by showcasing prison artwork and other creative commodities for the profit of the artist. Rather than focus on the grim realities of prison life and the criminal justice system, we hope the exhibition will help viewers connect with the humanity and depth of those incarcerated and provide a vision of reformation about the criminal justice system.