"Backed by the Dollar" - Zeth Philips

The artist is currently incarcerated in Colorado. He specializes in abstract drawings on DOC envelopes.

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.

Ink & Pen on envelop

Art for me is a way to tunnel under the wall and escape from Prison, if only for a moment. It’s a way to bring Nature and Beauty into the concrete jungle and brighten the lives of those around you. We may not be able to touch Nature, but that won’t keep us from dreaming of it. It is a way of reaching out at things longed for that are now missed. Memories come to life on the pages, Dreams are one step closer to being Reality. That is what Art means to me..