Stillborn Reflections by Antonio Howard
in the Frame Shop Gallery
February 3 through March 19, 2004

Self-taught painter Antonio Howard displays a selection of his new works. Howard, a native of Erie’s lower eastside, was incarcerated at age 15 for second degree murder; he is now 27. He states he never had the opportunity to pursue art as a young man, due to his tumultuous home life: “The environment was not one conductive to developing talents of mentionable consequence.”

After his incarceration, Howard began to explore art as an outlet. He remarks, “I paint my moods, what I feel, and I’m best at it when I’m depressed. I’m not sure where it comes from but when I need it, it’s there. They seem to go hand-in-hand, and they’re two of my most reliable elements, my closest allies – depression and artistic ability.” Limited in materials, Howard primarily paints on board (he is not permitted to have canvas as per prison regulations), makes his own brushes, and uses paper scraps for collages.

Howard is represented by The Face of Art, Inc., located on June Street; owned and operated by Howard’s father, Waydell Johnson. Howard’s work was included in the traveling exhibition Unimaginable Isolation: Stories from Graterford Prison during 2001. His work is held in several public and private collections, including that of Spike Lee.

A reception will be held on Friday, February 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.