Mr. Wash
Fulton Leroy Washington (known as Mr. Wash) is a self-taught artist with the unique ability to express human emotions in the form of paintings. Wrongfully convicted in 1997 for a non-violent drug offense, he learned and refined his craft while serving a life sentence, the mandatory minimum that had been set during the era of the War on Drugs. On May 5, 201 6, he was granted clemency by President Obama and released on September 2, 2016.
Mr. Wash created a series of artworks he titled: “Incaptivity” during his twenty-one years of incarceration. Following his own life experiences and how he saw the broken U.S. criminal justice system impact the lives of so many, Mr. Wash became a strong advocate of criminal justice reform. He works to use his voice and talents to affect change in this area. The “Incaptivity” artworks works were kept in paid storage for 21 years. His first subjects were his fellow inmates: he created elaborate photorealistic portraits of his cohort, often setting them in idyllic landscapes, dressed in civilian clothing and free. Other artworks depicted psychological fissures, of his experience that included his desire to gently touch and caress “Don’t Let Go”; the political gossip that followed his arrest “Yakity Yak”, and what the feeling was like when it …
Fulton Leroy Washington (known as Mr. Wash) is a self-taught artist with the unique ability to express human emotions in the form of paintings. Wrongfully convicted in 1997 for a non-violent drug offense, he learned and refined his craft while serving a life sentence, the mandatory minimum that had been set during the era of the War on Drugs. On May 5, 201 6, he was granted clemency by President Obama and released on September 2, 2016.
Mr. Wash created a series of artworks he titled: “Incaptivity” during his twenty-one years of incarceration. Following his own life experiences and how he saw the broken U.S. criminal justice system impact the lives of so many, Mr. Wash became a strong advocate of criminal justice reform. He works to use his voice and talents to affect change in this area. The “Incaptivity” artworks works were kept in paid storage for 21 years. His first subjects were his fellow inmates: he created elaborate photorealistic portraits of his cohort, often setting them in idyllic landscapes, dressed in civilian clothing and free. Other artworks depicted psychological fissures, of his experience that included his desire to gently touch and caress “Don’t Let Go”; the political gossip that followed his arrest “Yakity Yak”, and what the feeling was like when it appeared that the whole world had turned on him “That’s A What!”
Currently Mr. Wash, through the sales of his artworks and the Help Us Help Wash 501c3 is building the Art By Wash Studio in the city of Compton CA. A studio that dubs as a community center to teach art to the community and assist qualifying inmates returning from prison.
Courtesy of The Skateroom
Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building, Lompoc, CA
CA US Attorney's Office, CA
Whitney Museum of Art, NY
LACMA Museum, CA
Hammer Museum, CA
