Gregory Sale
ABOG-David Rockefeller Fund Joint Fellow in Criminal Justice
As the ABOG-David Rockefeller Fund Joint Fellow in Criminal Justice, Gregory Sale is developing Future IDs at Alcatraz to explore how individual stories of transformation can collectively help reframe the narrative of re-entry. The project comprises a year-long exhibition, workshops and public programs. Devised in collaboration with individuals honing their ability to succeed after incarceration (Aaron Mercado, Dominique Bell, Dr. Luis Garcia, Jose Gonzalez, Kirn Kim, Ryan Lo), the artwork depicts self-created identities in contrast to prison-issued IDs. Working in partnership with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition and other community organizations across California, Future IDs will activate the public’s imagination, generating critical community support necessary to advance justice reform.
Now in its third year, the ABOG-David Rockefeller Fund Joint Fellowship in Criminal Justice is a targeted fellowship that resulted from a year-long planning process between A Blade of Grass and the David Rockefeller Fund.
Artist Bio
Artist Gregory Sale engages stakeholders spanning political positions from the far right – Arizona’s infamous Joe Arpaio – to the far left – Angela Davis. It’s not just black and white (2011), at Arizona State University Art Museum, wrestled with the visual motifs of crime (striped uniforms, pink underwear, brown skin) that then Sheriff Arpaio manipulated for political advantage. Sale has collaborated with men sentenced as juveniles to life without parole (Life is Life, 2011-12) in Pennsylvania and others on death row (Love for Love) in Tennessee. Love for Love (2012-15) was first commissioned for the Ackland Art Museum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Rap Sheet to Resume (2015-16) for the Urban Justice Center, New York, and Future IDs (2016-present) with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Los Angeles, focus on reframing the narrative of re-entry. His work has received support from Creative Capital Foundation, Art Matters, SPArt (Social Practice Art), and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and artist residency awards (Yaddo, MacDowell, Headlands, Montalvo, Ucross, and Centre d’Art Marnay Art Centre). Based in Phoenix and Los Angeles, Sale is Associate Professor of Intermedia and Public Practice at Arizona State University.
Artist portrait by Brandon Ng
Dominique Bell shares his story of advocating for justice reform with a busy senator. Watch a short video of Dominique’s story here. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Wendy Staggs directs Yahniie Kaihry Bridges and Ryan Lo in taking a photographic portrait for her Future ID. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Project participant JD Melendez works on his Future ID at The Bunny House artist residency, Los Angeles. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
A mix of individuals with and without conviction histories design identification cards for a dream job, a role in society, or a continuing role with family, such as father or mother (Future IDs: Art Workshop, Art in Corrections Conference). Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Completed Future IDs by Emiliano Lopez, Felix Miranda, and Cirese LaBerge-Bader. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Completed Future ID by Guss “Lumumba” Edwards (made during a month-long workshop at San Quentin Prison). Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Completed Future ID by Bruce Fowler. Park Ranger Takeo Kishi discusses his work with urban youth and system-involved adults on the ferry to Alcatraz. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Core project collaborators Ryan Lo, Gregory Sale, Dr. Luis Garcia, and Kirn Kim traveled to Alcatraz to meet with the National Park Service and the nonprofit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Kirn Kim and Dr. Luis Garcia stand in front of their Future IDs in a mockup design of the installation in the New Industries Building, Alcatraz. Courtesy Gregory Sale.
Like 1.4 million visitors annually, Kirn Kim (core project collaborator and the first professional employee of The California Endowment with a conviction history) leaves Alcatraz Island. Courtesy Gregory Sale.