The Vanitas Tradition Reimagined: An Exploration of Skull Iconography in Art Created by Incarcerated Men

• In Event: Lightning Talk: From Cells to Solutions: Future Research Directions through Carceral Citizen Creativity

Abstract

Incarcerated individuals are often reduced to their imposed identities and stripped of autonomy leaving little room for self-expression. However, prison art- particularly skull iconography- reveals deeper narratives of identity, resistance, and survival. Skull imagery, whether as a personal artistic expression or graffiti commentary, is a recurring motif among incarcerated groups that has persisted across generations. This study analyzes three artistic pieces featuring skulls to examine their cultural significance and broader commentary on the human experience while experiencing incarceration. Abductive analysis revealed themes of mortality, identity, and self-expression. Additionally, skull imagery may be linked to a hyper-masculine culture and rooted in anthropological history. These findings contradict a conventional understanding that artwork created by incarcerated individuals is one-dimensional and lacks a deeper meaning and purpose. By reassessing the origin of skulls in vanitas, we find that skull iconography in art created by system-impacted men reflects their lived experiences and connects to historical artistic traditions across time. The expression of skulls in art is a deeper reflection of the artist’s personal affiliations and identity. These findings suggest the need for further research into how art in incarcerated spaces serves as a broader expression of the human experience.

Author

• Aujeneè Douglas, American University