Transformation

This narrative-shifting campaign explores the deficiencies in the storyline that often affects returning citizens, while uplifting the assets, gifts, and talents of those impacted by the criminal justice system. The project aimed to give the opportunity to those who experienced incarceration to find their voices and shape a different storyline for themselves.

Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Restorative Justice department has decided to tell the stories of individuals who were once incarcerated and have since worked diligently to transform their lives, leaving a different legacy and story for those that follow them.

In partnership with renowned photographer Ken McFarlane, Mural Arts worked with Guild members to explore self portraiture, image, storytelling, and identity development. Through photography workshops, Guild members and participants of Mural Arts’ Women’s Reentry Pilot Program were photographed – and were given control of the camera shutter to be able to control the image that was captured to tell their own story of transformation.

McFarlane and the Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice team curated nine portraits that have become a showcase on ClearChannel billboards throughout Philadelphia, reaching the communities of our Guild members and alumni. McFarlane chose to create polyptychs of each portrait to show past, present, and future selves in conversation. Poet Andrea Walls, founder of the Museum of Black Joy, was brought on to write an original sonnet that was featured along with the photographs for the billboard campaign. The mural visible behind each portrait was designed by Brad Carney, an artist with Mural Arts.

Location Note: Billboards no longer on view (temporary project).