Tehachapi, Daytime, U.S.A., 2019

In October 2019, French artist JR created a one-of-a-kind art activation within the walls of California Correctional Institution: Tehachapi in Southern California - a maximum security facility.

JR and his team captured the portraits and stories of former and currently incarcerated citizens that are keenly focused on rehabilitation, as well as some of the prison staff, and pasted them with their help, as a large team, on the recreation space within CCI.

The wheatpasting of 338 strips of paper was completed in a few hours thanks to the help of all the participants in the project, and more incarcerated men and staff, working together with JR’s team.

The final installation shot was done from a birds-eye view with a drone.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of  this lithograph will be donated to CAN ART CHANGE THE WORLD?, a non for profit organization that aims to use the power of art, culture and education to bring social awareness and social change around the world and in specific communities. In the case of this lithograph, funds will be donated to organizations working towards a more just legal system and dignity for individuals directly impacted by it.