“Prison Reform: A Bird’s Eye View” (2025) Page 4

This photomontage, composed of eight found photographs, serves as a companion piece to Recidivism (Norway). Although Bald Eagles are typically symbols of strength and freedom, I chose them here because they represent the United States as its national bird. Three of the Eagles remain confined, symbolizing the grim reality of America’s recidivism rate, which exceeds 80% — one of the highest in the world.

The nests nestled in the pine trees represent the elusive American Dream of prosperity, home, and family, a dream often out of reach for individuals with criminal records. The cage used for the Eagles was selected to symbolize the inferior conditions of U.S. prisons. The background features El Capitan, a towering granite formation in Yosemite National Park known as one of the most challenging climbs in the world. Its imposing presence is a metaphor for the near-impossible ascent former convicts face as they attempt to reintegrate into American society without meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation.

The Phoenix has a mythological opposite in the owl-like Strix, a mythological bird from classical antiquity that feeds on human flesh. Its appearance was said to be a harbinger of war or civil strife. This piece was created from 181 found photos, a hand-drawn text layer, and a nighttime photo of the ocean that I shot in 2020. The photo mosaic is made up of images of crime scenes, weapons, prisoners, fear, violence, police, criminals, arrests, and court. I also included a scant few images of vultures and various birds of prey.

In the sky, the stars spell out the word “DAMNATION” in English, or “fordømmelse” in Norwegian. It was made by creating star-shaped brushes in Photoshop from scratch and tracing over a text layer that was then deleted. The ocean represents both the chaos that troubled individuals bring to a community and the vastness of the areas that can be affected.

To be caught is to be suddenly stopped and held, whether in the act of wrongdoing or in the moment before disaster. This companion piece to Captured, assembled from nine found photographs, depicts a man in freefall, seemingly doomed, until he is gently snagged in midair by a pod of Pelicans.

Unlike the Vultures, the Pelicans carry a redemptive significance. In Christian symbolism, they represent self-sacrifice, atonement, and renewal. Their presence paired with the natural color palette of the scene transforms the narrative: the man is not rescued from accountability but supported through it. His fall is interrupted not by judgment, but by care which symbolizes the rehabilitative ethos of carceral systems like Norway’s, where redemption is possible through restorative practices. The peril below still looms, but the abundance of Pelicans suggests an alternative path—one in which those who falter are not discarded but guided toward healing and reintegration.

This piece serves as a companion to Freefall (Part 1) and consists of six found photos, with Norway’s White-throated Dipper once again taking center stage, symbolizing an inmate in the Norwegian rehabilitation prison system. The bird, restrained by a collar and suspended above molten lava by a short chain, with the tension keeping him suspended safely above the lava below. Flanking the scene, two trees support a net positioned beneath the Dipper, ready to catch him if needed. The open volcano serves as a metaphor for the perilous cycle of criminal behavior and recidivism, while the net and short chain represent the structured rehabilitation programs designed to guide inmates toward change and reintegration.

This piece consists of three found photos and one geometric shape, seamlessly blended using a clipping mask and multiple filters to create a frosted glass effect. At its center, a shirtless man lies on the floor, covering his head in despair. Two Hawks tear at his flesh, their violence obscured but not entirely hidden by the glass. The frosted glass serves as a metaphor for society’s awareness of prison conditions—seen but willingly blurred to avoid confronting the raw reality.

In Buddhism, Hawks symbolize the consequences of succumbing to desires; here, they represent the repercussions of the man’s past actions that led to his imprisonment. His sorrowful expression conveys deep regret, yet he remains trapped, unable to escape his fate. The Hawks’ intensified colors highlight the many forms of punishment he endures behind bars, symbolizing the relentless hardships of prison life.

This work is composed of eleven found photographs arranged to form the image of a battered woman. Tears stream down her cheeks, and she cradles her own bruised face as she dissolves into a flock of snow-white Dove, a symbol of the innocence stolen from her. The splatters represent the blood spilled during violent assaults and shootings. Including a collage dedicated to victims was essential to reinforce that they are not forgotten. Treating their attackers humanely does not diminish justice; rather, it strengthens it by helping to break the cycle of recidivism, creating a path toward true accountability and lasting change.

Remorse is an emotion that centers on the guilt for harm one has done to others. This piece, a companion to Regret, consists of three found photographs, combined to depict an inmate gazing at the sky over a distant mountain range. A Mourning Dove, symbolizing sorrow, appears in the sunlight, its presence underscoring the weight of his regret for his crimes. The mountains represent the self-imposed obstacles he now faces, a stark reminder of the mistakes he’s made. Filters have been applied to the entire image, distorting and desaturating it to reflect the irreversible shift in his life’s direction.

This photomontage is composed of eight found photographs arranged to depict a Great Grey Owl bursting out from a prison cell. Behind him sits a desk strewn with books and a stack of papers on the floor. A diploma rests atop the books—earned while incarcerated—symbolizing personal growth through education. As the Owl takes flight, he carries a pen in his talons, a metaphor for the new job and future he’s about to begin. This work reflects Norway’s commitment to educating inmates as a foundation for successful reintegration. It illustrates how transformative learning not only reshapes the individual but also fosters accountability and benefits society at large.

This piece consists of seven layers created from six found photographs. The golden cage layer was duplicated and manipulated to position the bird inside, while leaving the door open — a metaphor for Norway’s prison system, which emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration. The birds featured are White-throated Dippers, Norway’s national bird, symbolizing hope, resilience, and adaptability in challenging circumstances. Three Dippers fly freely, while one remains in the cage, representing Norway’s remarkably low 25% recidivism rate. The backdrop of the Norwegian landscape further reinforces the themes of freedom, natural beauty, and the country's progressive approach to criminal justice.

This work, a companion piece to Fordømmelse, was created from 183 found photos, a text layer, and a sunset photo I shot in 2019. The Phoenix is a photo mosaic I created with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop using images of community service, healing, therapy, neighbors, forgiveness, family, rehabilitation, and prison opportunity-based programs such as guide dog training, firefighting, and parenthood while incarcerated. I included a few images of baby birds being held and a white dove of peace.

The Phoenix originated in Greek mythology as an immortal that was capable of cyclical regeneration and rebirth. As the story goes, the bird bursts into flames and reemerges from the ashes. It is symbolic of the inmates’ ability to be rehabilitated and reborn into productive citizens. Written in the ashes is the Norwegian word frelse, which translates to “salvation” or “to redeem” in English. This pair of works concludes the series, serving as a reminder of the project’s central message: the way we treat incarcerated people carries consequences not only for their lives, but for ours, as they ultimately return to our communities and become our neighbors.