“The global demonstrations for racial justice give me hope that we’ll meet this historic moment with lasting change. As a result of this overdue reckoning, more of us understand the urgent need for our country to address racial inequality and our role in forging solutions. That Stanley Whitney, Paula Crown and Nick Cave and Bob Faust are gifting the Fund with proceeds from the sale of their work fills me with gratitude. Their extraordinary talent as artists is matched by their generosity and commitment to ending mass incarceration.”
– Agnes Gund
Alchemy is defined as the “seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination.” To launch Art for Justice, Agnes Gund sold one of her favorite paintings, Masterpiece, by Roy Lichtenstein. From gracing her mantelpiece, Masterpiece became an unexpected tool to disrupt mass incarceration. Alchemy is not only present in the Fund’s origins story, it’s also a key driver of our mission. Joining with advocates, artists and aligned donors, our approach uses proceeds from art sales and other contributions to fuel policy change and creative work. The capacity to heal individuals, families, communities, and our democracy is ignited by our collective actions. Stanley, Paula, Nick and Bob are master alchemists and we thank them for converting their powerful art into ploughshares for justice and helping to secure a future of shared safety for all.

Stanley Whitney
Courtesy Lisson Gallery
“My observation is that the prison industrial complex started after integration. I always say, ‘People went to jail, and I got to go to Yale.’ It’s really very important that we get rid of prisons and think of a better way of healing and educating people.”
– Stanley Whitney

From July 13-30, Lisson Gallery presented a series of new works on paper by Stanley Whitney ([link removed]) . Entitled, No to Prison Life, the online exhibition coincided with World Day for International Justice (July 17, 2020). This body of work represents the artist’s protest against mass incarceration, in particular, the disproportionate number of African Americans in U.S. prisons. While Whitney had integrated this theme into other paintings and drawings, he’d never exhibited these as a series, most having been created while he was quarantined in New York. But as Covid-19 began to wreak havoc in the carceral system, and the nation’s attention turned to racial inequality, Whitney decided the timing was right. He, along with Lisson Gallery, kindly offered to share a portion of the proceeds. All 13 pieces were quickly sold and No to Prison Life raised $20,000 for Art for Justice.
Stanley Whitney
Untitled (No to Prison Life), 2020
Crayon on paper
35.6 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in)
Framed: 47.9 x 39.7 x 3.8 cm (18 7/8 x 15 5/8 x 1 1/2 in)
© Stanley Whitney, Courtesy Lisson Gallery

Paula Crown
Courtesy Paula Crown Atelier
“In this time of aloneness, a sacred space of nourishing empathy can open. I believe it is now that the artist must resolve to take action. Art for Justice's mission of art and advocacy mirrors my belief in the power of art to transcend politics and to advance social justice.”
– Paula Crown

Over the past decade, multimedia artist Paula Crown has established a successful atelier (studio). Based out of Chicago and Aspen, Colorado, her practice encompasses drawing, painting and video. Crown’s art incorporates cutting-edge technology, collaboration and a commitment to sustainability. An oft-exhibited body of her work addresses the mounting climate crisis via iconic renderings of single use red solo cups. When depicted as a 10 foot monumental resin and fiberglass sculpture, the piece compels us to reconsider our consumptive practices. Crown’s work is in top public and private collections. In 2009, Barack Obama appointed her to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. As a trustee of the Museum of Modern Art’s Board, Crown chairs the Education Committee. For the entire summer (through Labor Day), she’s graciously donating 100% of her Atelier’s profits to Art for Justice. There’s still time to shop ([link removed]) !
Paula Crown
For Freedoms Collage, 2020
Archival inkjet print with acrylic, pigmented metallic paint, and glaze on watercolor paper
81 1/2 x 60 inches
Courtesy Paula Crown Atelier
For more information visit: [link removed]

Nick Cave and Bob Faust
Faust (l) and Cave (r). Photo by Nathan Keay
“On behalf of Facility, we feel strongly that future sales of our print should contribute to a broader mission for social change. The timely work of Art for Justice provides a voice to those who have historically faced barriers to joining conversations surrounding the racial bias in our criminal justice system.”
– Nick Cave and Bob Faust

EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art, has announced the sale of a limited-edition print designed by Nick Cave and Bob Faust. This initiative marks the return of a 1980 tradition, wherein international artists produced images for the fair to support mission-driven artists and their work. The proceeds will be shared by EXPO CHICAGO, the Facility Foundation and the Art for Justice Fund. EXPO CHICAGO will support its Curatorial Initiatives ([link removed]) ’ fall programming focused on race and representation in institutions. Cave and Faust’s Facility Foundation ([link removed]) supports emerging artists, fosters collaborations with like-minded established artists, and delivers public programming. On September 24, Agnes Gund will introduce a conversation with Nick Cave about freedom. He’ll be joined by Art for Justice grantee partners, Heartland Alliance and Illinois Humanities / Envisioning
Justice. To purchase the print and/or attend the discussion, please go to www.expochicago.com ([link removed])
Print and Detail: Facility, Nick Cave and Bob Faust.
2019 Limited-Edition Print of 200. 9-color lithograph, printed by Landfall Press.
30 in x 21 inches.
Signed and numbered by the artist.
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