Artist: Cedar Annenkovna aka Cedar Mortenson
Untitled, 2021
Paper lunch sack, human hair, coffee beans

Mortenson, who is currently incarcerated and serving time at the Arapahoe County Detention Center in Colorado, painted Inmate No. 1480296 with coffee on paper bags from prison lunch meals with a paint brush made of her own hair.

As I’m painting, I’m saying silly things to make me laugh,
Like this is the one that will knock their socks off!
I’m whispering prayers,
Breathing life, injecting love, protection,
Meaning into my art, so it really takes on a life of its own.
I’m just the utensil used to transfer the essence.
She could be anybody’s mother, grandmother, sister.
I’m all alone here in my cell.
Maybe she’s singing me a pow-wow song.
I close my eyes. I can hear it.
She’s been through a lot.
It’s written across her face, in her eyes.
I can’t see the hand she’s about to play
But I hope she wins.
Shima, bless you.
Wherever you are, I know you will find a way to be free…

This is one of my collector pieces that is by Ceder Annenko