Get a glimpse of recycled art pieces from current and past prisoners!

Nelson Mandela once said, “In my country we go to prison first and then become President.” Although I’m not quite sure that I want former prisoners to become President, I am pretty sure that it would be cool if they became artists. If you think about it, incarcerated prisoners have something that every artist needs to create a masterpiece: time for creativity. Prisoners have all the creative time in the world, and while some may spend it pumping iron or playing basketball, others use it by creating self-expressive pieces of art. I’d love to see this kind of art, especially if it’s art made with recycled materials.

So I searched around to find the 5 coolest examples of recycled prison art. Here they go:

1. Bob Cherry, Hand Made Ship

This handmade ship was made by Bob Cherry, who created it at Pelican Bay State Prison. It’s made from recycled “news paper, cardboard, paper clips, sheets, pen cylinders, toilet paper, thread, mop hairs and coffee.”

2. Saipan Prison Art Lamp

This very cool lamp is made from recycled magazine pages, which have been folder together like origami. It was featured on Caramimi’s Flickr page, which says that her brother created the piece when he was incarcerated.

3. Bobby Campbell, The Bird

Titled “The Bird,” this artistic clock was made by prisoner Bobby Campbell. It’s constructed from recycled Popsicle sticks and tongue depressors.

4. 12 Angry Cons

Created by prisoner James Buckley with recycled papier mâché.

5. Singapore Female Prisoner Recycled Art


The “Journey of Love & Hope” was an art exhibit event featured in Singapore’s S’pore Discovery Centre. According to the website, it was “an exhibition of original artworks in both Fine Arts & Recycle Arts by Prison inmates & ex-offenders. Each original creation expresses their regrets, struggles, hopes and aspiration.”

So, what’s your opinion about recycled prison art? Is it truly “green” because the prisoners care about conservation, or is it just something to do to pass the time away?

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