Art that has been created by convicts.
There are some interesting examples of art work that have been created by people that are behind bars. In this article I am going to focus in on some examples of artists that have discovered some creative talents while serving time.
Charles Bronson
The first that I have focused in on is the British convicted felon known as Charles Bronson. Not to be confused with the actor. Known as the most notorious prisoner in Britain, he has spent most of his adult life in prisons.
His story in the prison system is somewhat tragic in the sense that when he was originally incarcerated it was only for a short amount of time. However he began to absorb the the attitudes of the other inmates and he became much more violent.
While in prison he began to create artwork and has since been seen as an outsider artist. His work focuses very heavily on the effects that prison has inflicted upon him. He often says that Salvador-Dalie is one of his main influences.
Some of the artworks that he has created are entitled: Reach up and Kiss the Sky, Thumbwar and the Birdman.
Learn more about Charles Bronson’s art here.
Mark Chopper Reid
Mark Chopper Reid was considered to be Australia’s most famous and at the same the most informis criminal. His reputation is that he is considered to be a modern day Ned Kelly. He became became more notorious through out Melbourne Gangland.
He was convicted of a string of offences and sent to prison.
He had some eclectic forms of art that is often described as post modernistic. One of his art work pieces is the Banker, The Bully and The Boss.
He did possess some creative talents in literature.
During his later years he wrote books the best known is that entitled Pulp Faction and a children s book that was banned called Hooky the Cripple.
See more of Chopper Read’s art work here.
Charles Manson
The most notorious of artists behind bars at this moment, Charles Manson has carved out a reputation as one of the most gruesome criminals currently serving time.
He does have an artistic streak in the sense that he makes songs. His songs take on a myriad of subjects that are hard to pigeon hole. Many of these albums were recorded before he committed his heinous crimes. They include the titles such as Lie: Love and the Terror Cult and The Family Jams.
John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy was responsible for sexually assaulting and killing 33 boys and was executed in 1994. While in prison he created many images of clowns. He also painted Native Americans.
See more of John Wayne Gacy’s art here.
Keith Hunter Jesperson
Convicted of killing eight women ( he later confessed to killing up to 160) Jesperson created child like pictures while serving time.
See more of Keith Hunter Jesperson’s artwork here.
Richart Ramirez
Also known as the night stalker, Richard while in prison created some undeniable disturbing pictures.
See more of Richard Ramirez art work here.
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