Freedom is by far the number one desire of every imprisoned person. We dream about it, talk about it, think about it, and pray about it - incessantly. And although the reality has remained elusive for decades for many, the idea of walking out of prison is enough to relieve the weariest of souls, if but for a moment.
As disheartening and menacing as incarceration is, prisoners are obliged to necessitate a sense of solace or risk becoming mentally unhinged. This piece of mind is often achieved through faith, education, and exercise. Nevertheless, often coming in on the second tier of comfort providers are the various forms of artistic expression.
A decade ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a former inmate every one called Ren. He introduced me to the genre of air-brush painting. I was so enamored by his ingeniousness that I commissioned him to paint a portrait of
Ivy, whom I meet through Port Of Harlem, and me. Ren charged me handsomely, but it was well worth every dollar.
Chris’s status of having been incarcerated while a juvenile may afford him the opportunity to paint a new self-portrait on the canvas of life.
Recently, I met Ren’s apprentice Chris. Every evening in the recreation area, Chris diligently applies his craft while debating the latest football game. Others stare on, wide eyed as personal photographs, magazine pictures, and vain imaginations are air-brushed onto canvas, tee shirts, and sweat shirts.
Port Of Harlem magazine inquired me about someone who could paint a portrait of a famous pioneer. One person immediately came to mind. When asked, Chris magnanimously acquiesced to donate his time and talent.
Then, I decided to sit down with Chris, while he continued to bring another canvas to life. We discussed his craft and the journey that brought him to this moment in time.
Chris is originally from the Philippines. Growing up under the roof with a father who was a firm, abusive disciplinarian, Chris escaped his surroundings via art. When his creativity could not save him, Chris ran away from his family.
“At a very young age, I never recognized how easy it was to throw my life away.”
Though he never indulged in drugs or alcohol, he would often break into abandoned or unoccupied homes with no plans to hurt anyone, but to just to sit around and eat their food. However, his luck ran out when one home he thought was empty was not. The resident shot his buddy, soon to be co-defendant, and Chris aimed a fatal shot at the resident.
At the puerile age of 17, even as a teen-aged, first-time offender, he was convicted of a felony and sentenced to life plus five years. “I just made a mistake,” Chris admits. “At a very young age, I never recognized how easy it was to throw my life away.”
All artists, in and out of prison, and whether they write, sing, or paint, possess and influence stimulating creativity. The impetuous may result from the divine, a heart-breaking misfortune, or something as simple as a leisure time activity. “I just love to paint,” Chris explained his inspiration while revealing a reflective gaze. Then he quickly elucidates, “I’m able to leave all my worries and pain away while I paint.”
He talked about one day visiting children hospital wards and teaching kids to paint. He passionately believes that the art of painting does bring comfort to children who have health issues.
Chris went on to share that painting frees his mind from constantly pondering all of the issues he faces daily. Issues that all artist face, plus interrupters that the incarcerated face including arguments that can transpire into pernicious altercations, lockdowns (where prisoners are forced to stay in their cells), and the difficulty of acquiring needed supplies. All of this, on the top of being separated from family.
I completely understood what he is saying. Prison life is so dysfunctional and chaotic that people are desperate to find a place to retreat or face chronic depression.
Many retreat to the corridors of their minds where they are in control of the narrative. Chris, however, has managed to not let interrupters encumber his passion for painting.
Chris shared with me the passion to utilize his gift as an avenue to heal kids, especially those who might not have had it easy. He talked about one day visiting children hospital wards and teaching kids to paint. He passionately believes that the art of painting does bring comfort to children who have health issues.
There is hope for Chris. On October 1, 2021, the
Juvenile Restorative Act became law in Maryland. Among the many components of the law, prisoners who were incarcerated as teenagers are permitted to file for modification of sentence. Baltimore City and Prince George’s County States’ attorneys are leading the charge in assisting individuals with reducing their sentences.
Chris’s status of having been incarcerated while a juvenile may afford him the opportunity to paint a new self-portrait on the canvas of life. “I think I will get a little relief through the recent law,” Chris announced with a tone of certainty. The arts won’t guarantee Chris physical freedom, but it has helped him deal with his worries and pains and to maintain the mental stability needed to more easily socially, and maybe economically, integrate with his family and community upon his hopeful release.
Chris Meiselman is among the 20 artists who contributed images to the Port Of Harlem Gambian Education Partnership’s “
From These Shores” exhibit. Two of the 20 artists have been incarcerated and Meiselman remains incarcerated. The on-line version is under construction. The physical exhibit will hang at the Juffreh Slavery Museum in The Gambia.
