"2020 Covid theories" - Mark Garza

The artist is currently incarcerated in Texas. He specializes in humoristic, political drawings.

All original artworks are created by artists previously or currently incarcerated. They use whichever materials they have access to, and prove creative ingenuity beyond the norm. These original paintings and drawings are born in the heart of a prison cell, from the hands of an outsider artist to adorn the walls of your space. Each art piece is a one-of-a-kind that not only enhances your interior but also makes you actively participate in reforming the prison and criminal justice system.

The incarcerated artist receives 50% of the sales proceeds. The artists set their own prices based on the costs of materials (it can vary greatly from one facility to another), the time spent on the piece, their experience, and simply - what they think it’s worth. Alongside with offering a financial outlet, we aim to empower their confidence and reinstitute their status as human beings - not a number behind bars. For most, art is an escape, a path to self-discovery and healing. Through art, they can reconnect with society so the gap is not so unbridgeable when they get out. Through the sales, they can stay connected with their families, afford daily commissary items, pay societal debts, relieve the economic burden on their loved ones, and save up for the release date. So they have the financial means to get ahead of reinsertion and get a fair chance at that second chance.

9" x 12" | Ink, Graphite & Color

Hi, I’m Mark Garza. Although I’m from Texas, I have lived and worked in Florida most of my life. In 2012, life choices and circumstances led me down a path that ultimately led to self-discovery and redemption. Over the course of nine years of incarceration, art has been the catalyst for expressing my emotions, obtaining a structured life and changing as a person in a positive way. I hope you can look at my past, not as a negative, but as a time of transformation. Timeless and straight forward best described my art. I often work with all media, but graphite, realism portraits and figures seem to be my strong points. I love doing powerful female faces with a lot of expressionism, masks, or geometric patterns. My art often reflects conspiracy theories, love lost and love gained, new beginnings, fear of death, and awareness that evil exists in this uncertain world. Recently, I’ve developed a personal interest in religious/free-lifestyle. I’m intrigued by things that have an abyss to these types of images. 2020 brought with it the outbreak of COVID – the unseen deadly plague. This global pandemic has had a profound impact on me and the trajectory of my life. It brought to the masses a new reality of feeling imprisoned both mentally and physically. Nine years of actual incarceration has prepared me to express these feelings and my state of mind captured in art. This piece is about the struggles of the pandemic during incarceration and current events that has impacted our country. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be part of this diverse group of artist. I’m also thankful for a supportive family and perhaps most importantly, Art for Redemption..