photo credit: David Benthal/BFA.com
On a crisp October evening in Manhattan, The Prisoner Ball took over Chambers Hall in a daring showcase of art, justice, and advocacy. The second annual event, hosted by The Prisoner Wine Company, transcended the typical gala vibe—this was a night dedicated to challenging the perceptions of mass incarceration and amplifying the voices of those who have lived through it. At the heart of the event was Russell Craig, a formerly incarcerated artist whose evocative work is not just art—it’s revolution.
The atmosphere in the historic Surrogate’s Courthouse was electric. Craig, alongside renowned poets Reginald Dwayne Betts, Faylita Hicks, and fellow artist Jared Owens, presented a collection of works that captured both the brutal realities and the undeniable hope of those impacted by the justice system for change. Craig’s two new pieces, Lighter Than a Feather I and Lighter Than a Feather II, left attendees mesmerized and reflecting on the weight of justice in America.
photo credit: David Benthal/BFA.com
“I used blood instead of ink to highlight prison violence, police brutality, and systemic injustice,” Craig explained, his words mirroring the rawness of his art. His pieces, purchased by The Prisoner and set to reside at their Napa winery, were not just art installations—they were calls to action.
Bukola “Bukky” Ekundayo, VP and GM of The Prisoner, summed up the night’s mission: “The second annual Prisoner Ball brought our ethos of ‘artful provocation’ to life. These artistic expressions are meant to challenge perspectives on mass incarceration and inspire deeper reflection, motivating others to advocate for change.” And change was the undercurrent that ran through every part of the evening.
The Prisoner Ball wasn’t a typical gala filled with small talk and champagne—it was a direct confrontation with the reality of America’s prison system. Each work told a story: from Betts’ stirring poetry about the dehumanizing effects of incarceration to Craig’s layered symbolism using leather and wine to depict the violence and exploitation embedded in the system. “I incorporate leather into my work to represent the Black body,” Craig shared, referencing the history of violence and oppression that his art refuses to let the world forget.
The Prisoner Wine Company’s ongoing commitment to prison reform was evident in every detail, from their $25,000 donation to The Center for Art and Advocacy to their Corrections wine series, which merges art with activism to raise awareness. The Prisoner’s dedication to this cause isn’t just lip service—they are investing in change.
photo credit: David Benthal/BFA.com
As the night drew to a close, singer Moses Sumney took the stage, captivating the audience with his performance of Vintage and Doomed. His voice, haunting and powerful, seemed to echo the urgency of the evening’s message: justice cannot wait.
For Craig, The Prisoner Ball is just one chapter in his ongoing journey as an artist and advocate. “I want my work to give people hope,” he said, reflecting on his life from foster care to incarceration to art stardom. “I want to show that change is possible.”
The Prisoner Ball 2024 was a moment to expand your outlook on freedom. This movement to rethink mass incarceration, to center the voices of those most impacted, is meant to inspire change using art as the way to tell their story. As Ekundayo said, “We are here to provoke, to reflect, and to act.” And that’s exactly what the night achieved.
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