How art and prison let us understand life’s complexities Prison | Jesse Krimes | TEDxPhiladelphia

Jesse Krimes is a nonviolent drug offender who unwittingly became a spokesperson for the mass incarcerated prisoners we cannot see, choose not to see, and see inaccurately. Jesse brings to light the cracks of the prison system and the “purgatory” that inmates can experience in the penitentiary. He tells the story of how he used art to transcend the prison environment and share how prisoners experience the world. Creatively using the materials at his disposal, Jesse uncovers and reveals unfair societal norms. No one is simply good or bad; everyone is complex. In this talk, Jesse challenges how we see ourselves and interact with others. Jesse Krimes is a visual artist who was indicted by the United States government, labeled a "drug kingpin," and sentenced to a 70-month prison term. While incarcerated, Mr. Krimes established prison drawing, painting, and independent study art programs and worked collaboratively with his fellow inmates, in addition to maintaining an active independent studio practice. Krimes used art as a means to transcend and psychologically escape his confinement, including a 30’ x 15’ ft. mural, which was digitally reproduced and used to cover the walls of a cell at Eastern State Penitentiary for an art installation titled Apokaluptein:16389067. Krimes' work seeks to challenge events and dogmas, creating paradoxes in perception and memory that alter future translations and understandings of “authenticity.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx