ANGELA GROSSMANN'S SMALL CRIMES
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
A portrait exhibition of British Columbian prisoners who were incarcerated between 1935 and 1948 will be mounted in the Barrister's Lounge at the BC law courts this September. The collaged and painted artworks are by noted Vancouver artist, Angela Grossmann who has been working on the series for almost 20 years.
"I found mug shots (4x5 negatives) and other files in a junk shop after the BC Penitentiary closed its doors in 1980. Most of the images were of men whose crimes were negligible, such as homelessness, drug addiction or mental illness. But their sentences were draconian in comparison and often included floggings.
"I never considered showing these works outside an art gallery until a lawyer friend suggested the idea of the Barristers' Lounge. I think it’s profound that these men will be back in the courthouse particularly since there's been criticism of the Canadian legal system in recent years, much of it coming from the lawyers who see its inadequacies first hand. Our prisons are again becoming repositories for citizens with social welfare issues and we are ill-equipped as a society to deal with them.”
It should be noted that the mug shot was more than a way to document prisoners. It was also away of shaming them—a part of the punishment process. With this in mind, Grossmann has carefully protected the identity of these criminals by combining their photograph with portraits of Greek sculptures, friends’ faces and even the artist herself. In doing so, she has brought an element of dignity back to these men.
“It’s my way of suggesting that there is a common element in all men and women, and that each of us is capable of transgressing the law.”
The Barristers Lounge is not open to the public, but following the exhibit Grossmann’s artworks will be on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery's Rental & Sales Showroom (Nov 4 - 8, 2013) as part of the Capture Photography Festival.
Angela Grossmann will be on hand to discuss her work Tuesday, November 5 (Guy Fawkes Night) at 7:00 pm in the Art Rental & Sales Showroom, located on the main floor of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
The Art Rental & Sales Showroom is free and open to the public on weekdays, Monday to Friday (10 am – 5 pm).
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
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| Angela Grossmann, Small Crimes, 2013 |
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