WORDSUNCAGED
WORDSUNCAGED
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WordsUncaged facilitates art, narrative therapy and new media workshops throughout the state correctional system in California. Working collaboratively with artists and writers in captivity, we aim to shift the narratives that surround mass incarceration. We believe that incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people are not a problem to be solved by society but, rather, a population uniquely positioned to help solve the many problems in our communities.
We currently serve over 400 incarcerated writers, artists, and performers in Lancaster, Calipatria and Donovan prisons, as well as hundreds of family and community members throughout Southern California.
Photo at Calipatria State Prison by Danny Dwyer
Life Without Prison
By Jarvis Garner Jr., currently incarcerated at LA Country Prison in Lancaster
Last night I had a dream of my life without prison;
It was a plethora of boundless possibilities;
I was a scholar of medicines specializing in human resources;
I was an emergency medic enrolled in the armed forces;
I was a better role model for my generation;
It was 2008 and I was present at President Obama’s historical inauguration;
I was a father figure to my nieces;
I put myself in a positive environment surrounded by good people and watched as my chance of success increased immensely;
I was employee of the year twice and executive of the month once;
I was a good friend;
I was an honest man;
I had many hard times;
But was pretty sure it made me a better man;
I was African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and Caucasian;
I was color blind;
I was the embodiment of love and it was amazing;
Last night, I had a dream of my life without prison;
It was a plethora of good deeds and unboundless of limits!
This online exhibition of new paintings showcases the work of WordsUncaged member, Kenneth Webb, a talented, self-taught artist, who has been incarcerated since he was 18 years old and is currently serving a life sentence.
The works below were made within the confines of the Los Angeles County Prison, Lancaster, and have been generously donated to WordsUncaged by Kenneth Webb.
is honored to present
MY (BLACK) THOUGHTS ARE NOT CONTRABAND
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction

Photo of Kenneth Webb by Pieter Hugo

Printed artist statement by Kenneth Webb
100% of the proceeds from any sales will help fund a new gang intervention program led by Tobias Tubbs, Gernay Quinney and Anthony McDuffie, three formerly incarcerated men who now, following their release from prison, are helping to positively transform their communities in South Los Angeles.

Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
Marginal, 2020
Acrylic, wood, hair comb, wire plugs on canvas
12 x 24 inches
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
Marginal, 2020
Acrylic, wood, hair comb, wire plugs on canvas
12 x 24 inches

Listen to Kenneth Webb talk about Marginal

Listen to Kenneth Webb talk about (Black) Diaspora

Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
(Black) Diaspora, 2020
Acrylic, oil, cut canvas, on masonite
36 x 36 inches
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
(Black) Diaspora, 2020
Acrylic, oil, cut canvas, on masonite
36 x 36 inches
Purchase may be made via donation to WordsUncaged. To inquire, email info@wordsuncaged.org

Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
(Black) Tendencies, 2020
Oil and Acrylic
46 x 46 inches
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
(Black) Tendencies, 2020
Oil and Acrylic
46 x 46 inches

Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
I painted a mirror (black), 2020
Oil and Acrylic on Masonite
41 x 48 inches
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
I painted a mirror (black), 2020
Oil and Acrylic on Masonite
41 x 48 inches
Purchase may be made via donation to WordsUncaged. To inquire, email info@wordsuncaged.org

Listen to Kenneth Webb talk about (Black) Tendencies

Listen to Kenneth Webb talk about I painted a mirror (black)

Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
Edit, Error, 2020
Oil on (unstretched) canvas
6 x 4 feet
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
Edit, Error, 2020
Oil on (unstretched) canvas
6 x 4 feet
Purchase may be made via donation to WordsUncaged. To inquire, email info@wordsuncaged.org

Listen to Kenneth Webb talk about Edit, Error

Listen to Kenneth Webb talk about Rebirth of a Nation

Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
Rebirth of a Nation, 2020
Oil on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Kenneth Webb aka Post Fiction
Rebirth of a Nation, 2020
Oil on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Purchase may be made via donation to WordsUncaged. To inquire, email info@wordsuncaged.org

Travis Hoffmeister,
Chris Owens, 2020
Acrylic on wood, with wood frame and bars
20 x 20 inches
Fellow inmate commissioned by Kenneth Webb for this presentation
Travis Hoffmeister,
Chris Owens, 2020
Acrylic on wood, with wood frame and bars
20 x 20 inches
Fellow inmate commissioned by Kenneth Webb for this presentation
Purchase may be made via donation to WordsUncaged. To inquire, email info@wordsuncaged.org
The One Who’s Caged
By Travis Hoffmeister, currently incarcerated at LA Country Prison in Lancaster
While looking through the bars
at a pretty blue and green,
itty-bitty bird
that was staring back at me,
I wished I’d had some bread to give
Or maybe some bird seed;
I’d have loved to offer something
then just sat and watched it eat.
It hopped around a little bit,
and then started to sing.
The song was really beautiful,
like something from a dream.
But then it took flight through the air
and flew away so free,
and I realized that it’s not caged…
the one who’s caged is me.

In conversation with the artist Kenneth Webb from Lancaster Prison; film by Manuela Dalle, produced by Jean Martin.
The work of WordsUncaged embodies a restorative approach to justice: we believe that Kenneth Webb deserves a chance to repair the harm that he has caused in his community.
We hope that Governor Newsom will commute Kenneth’s sentence and allow him to contribute to this transformative work with WordsUncaged.
With No Handshaking, What Now?
By Dortell Williams, currently incarcerated at LA Country Prison in Lancaster
Human contact, that soul-deep gratification of touch—that electrifying tactile sensation—a human social need since birth—has been abruptly taken off the table. In the era of contagion, what now? In what other ways can we acknowledge one another, and esteem the other beyond a simple smile?
The Japanese have an interesting, age-old gesture. They bow to one another. This mutual bow is the highest display of respect among the Nihongo. It means, in short, you’re a creator, and I find deep value in you as an equal. It is their way of acknowledging the special essence and ability of the other’s uniqueness. People who see one another with such a high level of esteem want to position themselves as allies, they see great value in one another.
As life for us changes drastically around the world, it is time to find new and meaningful ways to connect because physical distancing doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be social. It just means we have a physical, albeit temporal barrier between us. So, let’s put our minds together and stay connected in some meaningful way that continues to unite us. We can do it; we can do anything together.

Photo of Kennth Webb and Arshawn Green by Pieter Hugo

Photo of prison dance workshop by Pieter Hugo; workshop taught by Dimitri Chamblas