Art Exhibit Spotlights Unconstitutional Convictions in Louisiana
The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) along with the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) announces the upcoming launch of the art exhibit ABOUT TIME: Louisiana’s Jim Crow Juries and the Fight for Liberation on February 8 at Antenna Gallery. ABOUT TIME is a revealing exploration of the enduring effects of Louisiana’s non-unanimous convictions also known as “Jim Crow juries.” This exhibit showcases the artwork, storytelling, and vision of ten artists, formerly and currently incarcerated, who have been impacted by non-unanimous jury convictions.
The 1898 Louisiana constitution solidified convictions by non-unanimous juries as part of a slew of Jim Crow laws designed to criminalize, incarcerate, and oppress Black people. This exhibit was spurred by the 10-2 Committee at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola), a group of individuals convicted by non-unanimous, Jim Crow juries who are advocating for legislative relief for the approximately 1,000 people still incarcerated with an unconstitutional verdict. As a result of their push, Louisiana lawmakers will have the opportunity to fix this historic and ongoing injustice in this upcoming legislative session. As part of their organizing campaign, the Committee put out a call at Angola for art, and most of the featured pieces were created in response.
“Louisiana continues to bear the stain of Jim Crow juries – a legacy of racial injustice that still unconstitutionally denies people their full rights today,” said Lauren Sapp, Deputy Director of the Promise of Justice Initiative. “We are not just reckoning with history; we are fighting to dismantle the systems that cause lasting harm. Art is a powerful vehicle in this struggle, revealing the devastating impact of non-unanimous jury convictions and inspiring action. We are honored to stand alongside these incredible artists, whose creativity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice shine through in this show."
“I was found guilty with reasonable doubt,” said artist Tuan Tran. “You can be convicted with no evidence. Two people found me not guilty. That was the thing that kept going through my head. Two people found me not guilty.”
The works, including paintings, woodworking, and sculpture, were all produced from within the walls of Angola using found materials and supplies purchased in part with money earned from the forced labor, with wages averaging 4 cents an hour. ABOUT TIME artists include Mondrell Wilson, Mark Cooper, Derrick Holt, Tuan Tran, Mark Stephen King, Peter Rubens, Keith Brazley Lloyd Gray, Anthony Boult, and Rufus Henry.
The exhibit continues through March 31 and provides visitors with opportunities to write letters to their legislators and join in advocacy efforts ahead of the legislative session to make non-unanimous juries retroactive and provide legal relief to hundreds of incarcerated people. Antenna collective member Flora Cabili closely collaborated with the Promise of Justice Initiative and Center for Constitutional rights staff to co-curate the exhibition and produce an accompanying publication that will be available for purchase as well as prints of the artwork. All proceeds will go directly to the system-impacted artists.
The opening will be 6pm-9pm this Saturday, February 8th at Antenna 3718 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans.