Quilt exhibit showcases artwork of inmate turned criminal justice activist
His work is now shown in major museums and galleries, but Jesse Krimes created some of his first artwork in prison. Following his release, he's also become a strong advocate for the formerly incarcerated and for reforming the overall system of mass incarceration. Jeffrey Brown reports for our Art in Action series, which explores the intersection of art and democracy as part of our CANVAS coverage.
Jesse Krimes, an artist who began his artistic journey in prison, has created a new exhibition titled "Elegy Quilts" at Philadelphia's Fabric Workshop and Museum. These quilts are portraits of incarcerated individuals, made from items sent to Krimes by the individuals themselves, such as clothing and bedsheets. Krimes, who spent nearly eight years in state and federal prisons on nonviolent drug charges, began teaching himself to sew and quilt while in prison.
His artwork aims to challenge harmful narratives surrounding those who have been incarcerated. Krimes has worked to support formerly incarcerated artists and advocate for reforming the mass incarceration system, emphasizing the need for better support systems for their reintegration into society.
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