Art Installation Honors U.S. Death Row Exonerees

Biography: Unwritten by Toby Lee Greenberg highlights the ruined lives of those exonerated from U.S. death rows through an art installation of books. According to a press release from the artist, the installation of empty books at The Gallery at Penn College reflects the “fragile lives wasted and lost within a system” and prompts viewers to “consider the simple moments so often taken for granted.” 

Each book highlights the life of an exoneree as a biography, including the name of the exoneree and a subtitle conveying details about their lives; unlike a normal book, the pages of these books are sealed shut with cement to draw parallels to a prison cell. Only on the final page is there more information about the exoneree, beginning with a statement regarding a missed life event or milestone, such as “building a credit history.” This information is followed by the year and place they were sentenced to death, amount of time wrongfully incarcerated on death row, and the year exonerated, details that are also found in the Death Penalty Information Center’s Innocence Database. Each of these biographies is displayed atop of floating shelves of untitled books, which pay “homage to those wrongly convicted but who perished on death row.”  

Visitors are encouraged to pick up the books. In interacting with the installation and reading about the many lost moments, visitors can identify with the subjects. “This simple act momentarily compels us to identify with the helplessness of the wrongfully convicted,” states the press release. As part of a previous exhibit at Tompkins County Public Library in Ithaca, New York, journalist Warren Greenwood wrote that Ms. Greenberg’s installation was the “most poignant piece.” Upon finding out that these empty biographies belong to those wrongfully incarcerated for decades, Mr. Greenwood states that “the effect is heartbreaking.” 

Currently on display at The Gallery at Penn College as part of the exhibit Books Undone 2: The Art of Altered Books, juror and artist Scott McCarney selected Ms. Greenberg’s work for honorable mention. Mr. McCarney reviewed 163 works by 77 artists, ultimately selecting 64 works by 41 artists from 20 states and recognizing six artists with awards. The exhibition, which is on display until July 21, 2024, is free and open to the public.