ONLINE: Art Toast
courtesy Integrated Art Group
"Self Portrait" by DarRen Morris, reproduced by Philip Salamone as a mural in downtown Madison.
"I did not know then that there were actual Black artists," writes DarRen Morris in the artist statement on his website. Morris is currently in a Wisconsin maximum security prison, sentenced to life without parole at age 17. Morris says he was "party to the unintentional death of an innocent man. Although I was involved in this death, I am not a murderer." He has no formal artistic training and paints on whatever surfaces he is allowed, sometimes cardboard. Artist Philip Salamone and author Judith Adrian will discuss Morris's art in the context of the exhibit From Here On Out: Celebrating Black Lives and Black Artists at Marzen, Integrated Art Group's showroom, which has been extended through May 2. Art Toast is co-hosted by Cafe CODA, Madison Music Experience and Marzen. The event will be live on Facebook, but registration is appreciated.
press release: In observance of Black History Month we celebrate the achievements of Black artists, and recognize the need for racial justice reform. Our exhibition, From Here On Out: Celebrating Black Lives and Black Artists showcases the work of Black artists, and supports racial justice reform efforts. We hope you can join us for our next Art Toast as we continue our series of lively discussions with artists participating in From Here On Out.
Artist Philip Salamone and author, Judith Adrian, will discuss the artwork of incarcerated artist DarRen Morris, currently serving life in prison. Morris was sentenced to life without parole at seventeen years old. Several of Morris’ paintings are currently on display and for sale at Marzen, Fine Art Showroom of Integrated Art Group through April 4th. All proceeds from the sale of Morris' work will go directly to Just Dane.
Morris states: "I am an artist. I paint and donate my works of art. In the years to come I want to create art that will help save youth from making thoughtless choices. I also want to create art that will help you on the outside understand what we face on the inside—the very real need for prison reform in Wisconsin and elsewhere and the very real need to involve more people in working toward prisoner rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Most of us on the inside are both perpetrators and victims. Hurt people hurt people.
Help me lessen the hurt".
Co-hosted by Cafe CODA, Madison Music Experience and Marzen, Integrated Art Group's Showroom.
Production: Madison Music Experience
Donations are graciously accepted via www.gofundme.com/f/keep-coda-alive
Save the date! Every third Thursday through 2/18. Join us for interviews with artists as they discuss their recent work.
Don't miss this fun, free behind the scenes art studio talk. In conjunction with the exhibition FROM HERE ON OUT, co-hosted by Cafe CODA, Madison Music Experience and Marzen, Integrated Art Group's Showroom.
The event will be live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Integrated.Art.Group
RSVP Now at https://www.
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