Join us for a special screening of Art & Krimes by Krimes (2021), a documentary exploring an incarcerated artist’s labors over a number of years on a secret masterpiece, finding a way to survive with the act of creativity.

Jesse Krimes (b. 1982, Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is an American artist and curator who focuses on criminal injustice and contemporary perceptions of criminality. While locked-up for six years in federal prison, artist Jesse Krimes secretly creates monumental works of art—including an astonishing 40-foot mural made with prison bed sheets, hair gel, and newspaper. He smuggles out each panel piece-by-piece with the help of fellow artists, only seeing the mural in totality upon coming home. As Jesse’s work captures the art world’s attention, he struggles to adjust to life outside, living with the threat that any misstep will trigger a life sentence.

Jesse Krimes is now an artist and curator based in Philadelphia and has co-founded Right of Return USA, the first national fellowship dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated artists.

As part of 836M’s focus on the process of art making, this film screening highlights Krimes’s art practice both while incarcerated and outside as a free man and artist working to shift perspectives on art and criminality.

The film includes animation created by acclaimed animator Molly Schwartz in collaboration with Jesse Krimes. The original score is by composer Amanda Jones in collaboration with formerly incarcerated musicians who are alumni of Musicambia.

Audience Advisory: This film contains mention of suicide, substance use, and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Panelist Speakers – TBA