C O N T R A B A N D
Art Show and Fundraiser for Prison Justice
Contraband is the name of a series of paintings on leaves created by Todd "Hyung - Rae" Tarselli. Leaves are considered contraband or forbidden possessions in prisons across Pennsylvania. The show featured 6 of these delicate leaf paintings illustrating detailed images of animals and nature. In addition, the exhibit showcased artists from both sides of the prison walls including Mary Dewitt's portraits of women serving life and selected artwork from prisoners around the country. As for artists on the outside: Ginger Brooks Takahashi, Merideth Stern, Jim Kidd, Alisha Wormsley, Bec Young, Leslie Stem, Ellen Melchiondo, Josh Macphee, Shaun Slifer and Vanessa Adams are just a few of the many brilliant artists who are donating pieces. Also displayed was a life-size solitary confinement cell, the walls of which are made from letters written from people incarcerated to Book'Em (Pittsburgh's Books To Prisoners) program.