IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT BARS & BORDERS

ART PROJECT

Until We Are All Free is a new project to imagine and create a world in which all
people are truly free - free of bars, free of borders, and free of violence and injustice
- to live with dignity and self-determination. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with
messages about criminals through the media that its hard to imagine alternatives
to these systems of punishment. In this exercise, you will learn how to see, feel and
create in a different way, while paying attention to small details that connect you to
other peoples humanity.

PART 1: WHAT DO YOU SEE?

These three images were developed with
the purpose of showing what happens
when human beings are FREE - not in cages
or in prison cells or in detention centers.
Look at each image silently for 1 full minute,
then answer the corresponding questions
next to each image. You can do this individually or in a group.
Questions for Image #1:
1. Can you describe how the child in this image feels? What do her hands tell you?
2. How would you describe the way the
father feels?
3. What is in the background? What is in the
foreground? What do these two symbols
mean?
4. What other living things do you see?
What word describes their movement?

Image #1. Art by Crystal Clarity

Image #2. Art by Jess X. Chen

Questions for Image #2:

1. What is the large bird figure doing in this image? How do you think this bird feels?
2. Describe what you see.
3. What do you see in the ocean? What do you think it means?
4. Where do you think this is?

Questions for Image #3:

1. What expression does this character have
on their face?
2. What do you notice about the shapes in
the background? What do you think they
mean?
3. What do you think the the sharp edges
on the shapes symbolize?
4. Why do you think the artist chose these
colors for the character?

Image #3. Art by Favianna Rodriguez

PART 2: CREATE YOUR OWN IMAGE!

Congratulations, you have just trained yourself on how to view images in a deeper
way. Now its time to make your own image. Grab some colored markers, and on
the next sheet, draw an image of what Freedom looks like to you. Time yourself and
spend 15 minutes on it. Remember to think about shape, color, and symbolism.
Bonus Points: Can you think of a good animal or insect metaphor for Freedom?

Draw an image of what Freedom looks like to you.

PART 3: CREATING YOUR OWN POEM

Now its time to put words to your idea. Fill in the short poem below and share with
your group, friends or family.

FREEDOM
Feels like
Sounds like
Looks like
Smells like
Tastes like