Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration

September 3–December 11, 2022

Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration considers the foundational roots of confinement from philosophical, sociological, theological, and art historical perspectives to better understand the fact that today’s mass incarceration crisis has been centuries in the making. This exhibition traces images from history that contribute to the entrenched cultural beliefs associated with today’s carceral system.

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  • Carolina Aranibar-Fernandez, “Multi-ples Capas (Multiple Layers),” 2021, mixed media sculpture, sound, adobe bricks, gold leaf, organic plants. On view in “Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration” at the ASU Art Museum. Photo by Craig Smith.

  • Xaviera Simmons, “Skin Hunger,” 2021, photographs, videos, animations, paintings. On view in “Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration” at the ASU Art Museum. Photo by Craig Smith.

  • Mario Ybarra Jr., “Personal, Small, Medium, Large, Family,” 2021, custom stage facade with videos, photographic wallpaper, framed photographs, 3 aluminum pizza pans, hand-painted canvas signs, wood. On view in “Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration” at the ASU Art Museum. Photo by Craig Smith.

  • Stephanie Syjuco, “Shutter/Release,” 2021, 27 dye photographic sublimation prints on aluminum. On view in “Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration” at the ASU Art Museum. Photo by Craig Smith.

  • Sandra de la Loza, “Unsettling the Settled: Archival Glimpses of Abolitionist Futures,” 2021– ongoing, two-channel video, works on paper, light boxes. On view in “Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration” at the ASU Art Museum. Photo by Craig Smith.

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Past Events

  • Sunday, December 4, 3:30 PM

    Steve Fujimura on Sad Asian Music

    In conjunction with the BAMPFA exhibition Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration, Steve Fujimura introduces his debut poetry collection, Sad Asian Music.

    BAMPFA
  • Portrait of artist Raven Chacon wearing a black tee shirt with white graphic, standing in an arid field with the sun low on the horizon.
    Sunday, November 6, 2 PM

    Raven Chacon: Live from Alcatraz

    Composer Raven Chacon debuts a new sound-work on Alcatraz, a sonic meditation on the histories of the island and its occupation for nineteen months beginning in November 1969 by the group Indians of All Tribes.

    Alcatraz Island

    Co-presented by Art in the Parks and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

  • Saturday, November 5, 2–4 PM

    Colloquium: Undoing Time: Images and Archives

    Join guest curator Julio Morales, exhibition artists Stephanie Syjuco and Mario Ybarra, Jr., and Freedom Archives codirectors Claude Marks and Nathaniel Moore for a conversation that expands and explores the exhibition’s themes, including the artist as archivist/activist.

    BAMPFA
  • Friday, November 4, 11:30 AM

    Julio Morales—Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration

    Curator Julio Morales will talk about his current BAMPFA exhibition, Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration, which considers the cultures and institutions of confinement that have been centuries in the making.

    BAMPFA
  • Sunday, October 9, 1 PM

    San Quentin Prison Studio Art Exchange

    Visitors are invited to create artwork and poetry to send back to the participating artists from the San Quentin arts studio, taking the opportunity to build connections and exchange creative energy.

    BAMPFA
  • Pictured: Underground Scholars program guides Eli Martinez, Michelle Maxwell, and Erin Katherine McCall
    Wednesday, 12:15 PM, September 28 – December 7; Sundays, 2 PM, October 2 – December 11

    Guided Tours: Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration

    Tours of Undoing Time are led by students from the Berkeley Underground Scholars program, which supports formerly incarcerated and systems-impacted students.

    BAMPFA
  • Saturday, September 17, All Day

    Community Day: Free Gallery Admission

    Enjoy free gallery admission all day in celebration of our latest exhibition Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration, and don't miss the talk with curator Julio Morales at 2 PM.

    BAMPFA
  • Saturday, September 17, 2 PM

    Curator’s Talk: Julio Morales on Undoing Time: Art and Histories of Incarceration

    Julio Morales, senior curator at the Arizona State University Art Museum, who organized Undoing Time, offers insights into the works of twelve contemporary artists featured in the exhbiition.

    BAMPFA