Profits from the sale of all artwork will go to Inside Dharma, a St. Louis based non-profit, non-denominational Buddhist organization that works with incarcerated and recently released individuals.   More info at Insider Art.

Inside Dharma:

        * supplies Volunteers In Corrections to Missouri prisons

        * connects penpals with interested inmates

        * sends reading and practice materials and the Inside Dharma Newsletter to
inmates 

        * provides references for recently released inmates 

        * Inside Dharma also serves the homeless community, which includes many
ex-offenders, through the Buddha Bag Project

Interview with Carol Corey, curator of Insider Art:

How did this project come about?

Inside Dharma is a Buddhist prison outreach organization working in eastern Missouri prisons. In 2008, the group decided to produce a resource directory for people re-entering the community after incarceration. I became quite involved in the research and design of the book and also put together a website called StartHereSTL.org. This experience led to more awareness of the group’s art exhibits that started about six years ago. Another website resulted as I became convinced that more exposure for these talented artists, who are often working in horrific environments, would be a good thing for both viewers and the inmates.

To see more artwork, visit InsiderArt.org. We have had three exhibits so far, outside of the annual fundraiser auction, and will continue to seek new venues. The next exhibit/fundraiser will take place on November 13 at All Saints Church.

What art supplies are available to the inside artists?

Inmates can be pretty creative in their use of materials. Previous exhibits have included tiny scenes carved into walnut shells and cassette boxes, crocheted sculptures made from unraveled socks, soap carvings, and beadwork.  Ballpoint pens are used to produce both prison tattoos and drawings on paper--often yellow legal or notebook paper. Framing some of the work for this exhibit was challenging because of the kinds of paper that were used.

Every year we receive bird houses constructed in a prison workshop. Ball point pens, regular pencils, colored pencils, and sometimes charcoal and acrylic paint  are probably the most common materials. I’ve tried to send sketch books and other materials to the men who donate to us. Sometimes they are allowed in, but not always. Inmates purchase materials from the institution’s ‘canteen’ from funds earned by working, or from money provided by friends or family.

What are some of your favorite books and specifically what literature inspires your program/project?

I appreciate what I read for a variety of reasons, so it’s hard to mention favorites. I seem to divide my time between Buddhist teachings and detective novels  I’ve been able to combine both in the intriguing work of John Burdett-- sort of. His hero is a Thai/farang detective who secretly aspires to be a Buddhist monk.

Sonchai Jitpleecheep has appeared in four books so far, starting with the graphic and compassionate Bangkok 8.

I finally, recently read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, a book that addresses the potent issue of what it takes to be seen and heard in a culture that finds it so difficult to look beyond its imprisoning conditioning.

Stephen Batchelor is an interpreter of early Buddhist texts. His 1996 book, Buddhism Without Beliefs encourages a return to the essential teachings about the impermanent nature of reality as a way to awakening, and warns against becoming too caught up in ritual and doctrine.

Interview with Aaron Wells, one of the artists of Insider Art:

How did you become involved with this organization?

I became involved with Inside Dhrama when I was sitting in the buddist group in Farmington Correction Center.  They offered to help me with Dress Out clothing and I helped them out by suppling artwork for their art shows.

What literature inspires your art?

Japanese Anime, Manga, Dragon Art, Bleach, Deathnote, Gurren Lang, Gundam 00, Guardian of the spirit, Battletech...etc...

Prison art seems to have influenced a lot of outsider art, I'm thinking specifically tattoo art, lowrider art and graffiti. What do you think are some new trends coming out of prison art today that will be reaching mainstream art in the future?

With new technology comes a greater reach and each artist has a wonderful chance to reach millions of people worldwide and share his or her gifts with everyone.  So in a way Outsider Art influences more than just tattoo art, lowrider art or graffiti....In essence it can influence the world !!!