Voices of the Incarcerated - Art for Redemption

The artwork pictured above, titled "Restricted Love," is an original created by Christopher Fancher and is featured on the website Art for Redemption.

Fancher is currently incarcerated in Ohio. "Age 37 years old. Been incarcerated for 18 years and 29 months left. I like to draw what of how I feel. I want people to appreciate the effort and art itself. This is my 1st time doing something like this and I want to be as fair and honest as possible. Everything I draw is all Original and One of a Kind, Unique and done with passion."

Of "Restricted Love," Fancher describes the piece; "Heart with wings constrained by a ribbon with the word 'Love' as stone, but overall, as if it was sprayed on a wall like graffiti."

All original artworks featured at Art for Redemption are available for purchase and are created by artists previously or currently incarcerated. They use whichever materials they have access to, and prove creative ingenuity beyond the norm. These original paintings and drawings are born in the heart of a prison cell, from the hands of an outsider artist to adorn the walls of your space. Each art piece is a one-of-a-kind that not only enhances your interior but also makes you actively participate in reforming the prison and criminal justice system.

The incarcerated artist receives 50% of the sales proceeds. The artists set their own prices based on the costs of materials (it can vary greatly from one facility to another), the time spent on the piece, their experience, and simply, what they think it’s worth. Alongside with offering a financial outlet, Art for Redemption aims to empower incarcerated artists' confidence and reinstitute their status as human beings; not just a number behind bars. For most, art is an escape, a path to self-discovery and healing.

Through art, they can reconnect with society so the gap is not so unbridgeable when they get out. Through the sales, they can stay connected with their families, afford daily commissary items, pay societal debts, relieve the economic burden on their loved ones, and save up for the release date. So they have the financial means to get ahead of reinsertion and get a fair chance at that second chance.

You can view other originals by incarcerated artists at the Art for Redemption website. Art for Redemption believes that offering the opportunity for artists to sell their work while incarcerated in order to create a savings account for their release is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to reducing recidivism.