Writing on the Wall Installation
The Writing on the Wall raises awareness about mass incarceration by offering a powerful, immersive exhibition that shares the personal experiences of incarcerated individuals.
The United States, which makes up only 5% of the world's population, is responsible for nearly 22% of the global prison population—over 2 million people. Most Americans are unaware of the suffering and inhumane conditions faced by those incarcerated, who often endure their time voiceless, powerless, and disconnected from the outside world, only to receive little to no support when they are released and attempt to reintegrate into society.
Conceived by Dr. Baz Dreisinger and conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas, The Writing on the Wall works to bring awareness to the realities of mass incarceration while promoting efforts to end it. MASS designed a traveling exhibition and installation constructed from a collection of over 2,500 essays, poems, letters, stories, drawings, and notes written by individuals in prison around the world.
Visitors to the installation walk through a space designed to replicate individual prison cells, presenting these often-hidden environments to a broader audience. Referencing the palimpsest-like writings on prison walls throughout history, the exhibition layers collected notes onto opaque and transparent acrylic panels. The personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions of incarcerated individuals are visible within this enclosed space, fostering a connection between the incarcerated and the public while challenging visitors to confront the crisis of the modern criminal justice system. The exhibition also provides a platform for incarcerated people to share their voices in ongoing discussions about the effects of mass incarceration worldwide.
The Writing on the Wall was installed at New York City’s High Line in the fall of 2019, at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 2022 to 2023, and at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History in 2023. It is currently traveling nationwide.
