Artepaño

Artepaños are kerchiefs transformed into works of art by prisoners that alternatively self-identify as Chicano, Mexican-American, Latino, and/or Hispanic. Artepaño: Chicano Prisoner Kerchief Art presents a thorough sampling of the distinctive styles found in paño art with more than 60 plates. The artworks range from simple valentines to chilling threats and grand biographical narratives. The vast majority of the work is drawn from the collection of Reno Leplat-Torti, collector of the largest assemblage of kerchief art in the world. Mr. Leplat-Torti’s selections are augmented by works from the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art collection and private collections.

The works are given context through annotations by curator Dr. Álvaro Ibarra. The publication also features an essay by renowned artepaño expert, Victor Sorell. Dr. Sorell’s essay will explore the current state of artistic production in American penitentiaries and the future of the artepaño tradition. Additionally, the catalog will include an interview with Mr. Leplat-Torti concerning his journey as a paño collector and as an advocate for prison rehabilitation programs and prisoner rights.