Prison artwork refers to creative works produced by individuals who are currently incarcerated or who have previously experienced incarceration. Created under some of the most restrictive circumstances imaginable, these works often reflect personal experiences, resilience, reflection, hope, and the search for identity and purpose.
Prison artwork is more than a creative outlet. It provides artists with a means of self-expression, personal growth, and connection to the outside world. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, and other artistic mediums, incarcerated artists share perspectives that are rarely seen or heard by the public.
At Impartial, we believe prison artwork has the power to humanize, educate, and inspire meaningful dialogue. Each piece offers an opportunity to look beyond labels and stereotypes and engage with the lived experiences of the people behind the artwork.
By sharing these works through exhibits, educational initiatives, and future sales opportunities, we aim to foster understanding, encourage conversation, and create greater awareness of the human stories that exist within the criminal justice system.
Wagon by Water
Artist Name: Walker
Medium: Watercolour
(Whenever possible, we share artist stories exactly as they were provided to us. These personal reflections offer valuable insight into the experiences, perspectives, and motivations behind the artwork.
These stories belong to the artists themselves. Our role is to provide a platform where their voices can be heard and their work can be appreciated.)
Walker has dedicated himself to art for decades. At 55 years old, he paints every day, whether in his prison cell or while working on mural-detail projects within the facility. Since 1996, he has created more than one hundred wall paintings throughout Trenton State Prison, leaving a lasting mark through creativity, perseverance, and self-expression.
Walker’s artistic journey took an unexpected turn while working in the prison tailor shop making coats. He noticed machine parts wrapped in canvas that were being discarded. Seeing potential where others saw waste, he rescued the materials from the trash, cleaned them, and sought permission to transform them into works of art.
His resourcefulness extends beyond his canvases. Walker paints on envelopes using watercolor techniques and creates his own colors from tea bags, spinach, beet juice, and ink—demonstrating that creativity can flourish even in the most limited circumstances.
Walker describes his artistic ability as a gift from God and says:
“I must be respectful of this gift. Family and friends have faded away but God’s blessings are always there for me.”
His work stands as a testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring power of human creativity. Through art, Walker continues to find purpose, expression, and connection, proving that talent and hope can thrive even behind prison walls.”
Artist Name: Newman
Original
Size: 8″ × 11″
Materials: Acrylic, wood frame
This artwork is a still life of a pink flower in bloom held in a glass vase with a brown background. It is one of my first still life flowers I ever did. The frame was built by me from scrap wood in the prison. My artwork is 100% of my own life. The money sent to me helps my time in prison while it is sold.
Artist Name: Williams
Artist Name: Hanna
Medium: Acrylic
Title: Rocky Mountains High
I am Hanna, a lifer. I was arrested in May 1988. I have been locked up every day from that day until now.
I’d like to say it is a case of mistake, they got the wrong guy!! But in my case it is not like that. I did kill a man for stealing my property. I know now that it is wrong. But at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. The State offered me a plea deal 40 to 60 months, 3½ to 5 years…. I thought the jury would set me free. They would know I did what I had to do. I will defend, so will they…. I was wrong to think like that. Now I am paying the price. I will die in prison.
At the time of my arrest I did not have any artistic abilities at all. I did a few drawings for my kids as I wrote to my wife. One thing led to another, now I spend four to six hours each day doing artwork.
It is my hope to put a smile on someone, put a bit of joy in someone, let a light shine in my life…..
Artist Name: Burkhart
Medium: Acrylic
This painting comes from my mind and remembering times that I would go trout fishing. Often times I would wonder what was downstream, what each rock would hide, where the river was going to take me.
It seems a lot like life if you think about it—where we will end up, what awaits us at the end of life’s river.
Artist Name: Rogers
Original
Size: 16″ × 20″
Materials: Oil paint (canvas board)
I took art classes 7th, 8th and 9th grade, but quit at 17 and dropped out. God graced me with His talent. Take no credit. He paints through my hands. All glory to God. Self taught. I’m God taught. All praise to our Father, God in Heaven.
Tears of Freedom (Tiger)
Artist Name: Bragg
Title: Tears of Freedom (Tiger)
Medium: Acrylic
Size: Approximately 14″ × 18″
I enjoy painting animals, pets. I also do landscapes. I work mostly from photographs and memory.
I enjoy doing portraits using graphite, charcoal, water/dry color pencils and acrylic paint.
I also do greeting cards and emblems.
Artist Name: Bridges
Secluded Church reflects Bridges’ journey of personal transformation and his belief in the power of hope, gratitude, and renewal. A self-taught artist and writer, Bridges discovered painting while incarcerated, where art became a means of reflection, healing, and self-expression. Through years of creating, he learned to replace anger, resentment, and hardship with compassion, forgiveness, and optimism. His peaceful landscapes seek to communicate those values and invite viewers to find beauty even in life’s most difficult moments.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind his work, the artist writes:
“Life is full of rocks, but hidden among them are gold nuggets. Every act of kindness, forgiveness, gratitude, and hope replaces another rock with something precious. Over time, those small choices transform not only our lives but also the way we see the world.”
Through Secluded Church, Bridges invites viewers to slow down, embrace the quiet beauty of nature, and reflect on the possibility of redemption, inner peace, and the transformative power of choosing hope over hardship.
Artist Name: Schnitzler
The Mill – Indian Summer is an original acrylic painting on canvas board inspired by the beauty and quiet transition of autumn. The artist began painting after his incarceration, discovering art as a way to replace destructive habits with creativity and self-expression. Entirely self-taught, he uses painting to communicate emotions that are often difficult to put into words, including pain, loneliness, hope, joy, and reflection. His goal is for each piece to evoke emotion or awaken meaningful memories in those who view it.
Reflecting on this work, the artist writes:
“Fall is the season when nature explodes with color. It is also nature’s way of preparing for winter as the trees are slowly stripped of their leaves. This peaceful scene captures the beauty of that brief moment between seasons, when summer gently gives way to autumn. It is a tranquil setting where one can almost hear the little stream flowing, the wind rustling through the trees, and the squirrels along the creek as the falling leaves drift toward their final destination.”
Through The Mill – Indian Summer, the artist invites viewers to pause, appreciate the fleeting beauty of nature’s changing seasons, and reflect on themes of transition, renewal, and hope.
Artist Name: Gachet
Size : 24″ × 19″
Medium Pastel rendition (2000)
Shades of Gray is a pastel rendition inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of Gachet. Through this work, the artist reflects on his own life and the experiences that have shaped his perspective. Using black, white, and the many shades in between, the piece symbolizes the complexities of human nature and the countless choices that define who we become.
Reflecting on this work, the artist writes:
“All those little and big acts throughout the course of our lives are the shades of gray between the black and white that represent right and wrong, truth and lies, good and bad, and even greed and equity. The degree to which we each experience life gives color to who we are. My art, in black and white, becomes something like those many shades of gray that I express on paper.”
Through Shades of Gray, the artist invites viewers to reflect on the complexity of the human experience, recognizing that life is rarely defined by absolutes. Instead, it is the countless choices, experiences, and moments in between that shape our character and give meaning to our lives.
Artist: Bosenhane
Size: 18″ × 24″
Materials: Oil paints
I chose this painting because of the light, not the lemons. The lemons are simply the subject. The light has no place in darkness, just as darkness has no place in light. I like the extremes.
Lemon Light is an original oil painting that explores the relationship between light and darkness. Created while incarcerated, the work focuses not on its subject, but on the way light transforms what we see. For the artist, the lemons are simply a vehicle through which light becomes the true subject of the painting.
Reflecting on this work, the artist writes:
“I chose this painting because of the light, not the lemons. Lemons are just the subject. The light has no place in darkness, just as darkness has no place in light. I like the extremes.”
Through Lemon Light, the artist invites viewers to look beyond the obvious subject and consider the powerful contrast between light and darkness, both in art and in life.
These artworks is not currently available for purchase, but you can join our waitlist to be notified when future sales, auctions, or exhibitions become available.
Impartial works to share prison artwork through exhibitions, educational partnerships, community engagement, and, when appropriate, future sales or auctions.
Some pieces may be available for purchase in the future. Others may be reserved for exhibitions, educational programs, museum partnerships, law schools, nonprofit organizations, or other venues that help broaden public understanding of the criminal justice system.
Because our collection has been assembled over many years, information about artists varies from piece to piece. In some cases, we have extensive background information and personal stories shared directly by the artist. In others, we may know very little beyond the artwork itself. We are committed to sharing what we know while respecting the privacy and circumstances of the artists.
Purchasing or bidding on prison artwork is not just buying a piece of art. It is choosing to see the person behind it.
Artists or representatives submitting artwork for sale must follow these guidelines:
Auction listings will follow these guidelines:
The artwork is created by people who are currently or formerly incarcerated.
Yes. Some pieces may be listed for direct sale with a set price. Others may be available through auction.
Proceeds may go to the artist, their family, reentry support, legal support, or Impartial’s mission-based work, depending on the agreement for each piece. The distribution will be clearly stated when possible.
Yes, but submissions must follow prison rules, facility policies, and applicable laws. In some cases, a family member, advocate, or approved representative may help with the submission.
Yes. You must have the artist’s permission and provide accurate information about the artwork and artist.
All submitted artwork must be original unless clearly stated otherwise.
Because many pieces are unique and mission-based, all sales may be final unless the item arrives damaged or there is a clear issue with the order. Return policies should be listed with each artwork.
Each auction will include a starting bid, deadline, and instructions. The highest valid bid at the end of the auction wins.
Yes. Visitors may support Impartial’s work through donations, sponsorships, or by sharing the artwork and artist stories.
We feature prison artwork because creativity can restore dignity, open dialogue, and remind people that those impacted by the justice system are human beings with voices, stories, and value.
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