TOMAS AFEWORKI
Tomas Afeworki is an artist and community organizer working to end systemic racism and discrimination. He has worked with the Washington State legislature to have decarceral resentencing laws applied retroactively. He is the co-founder of Bound Artist, an organization with the mission to provide those currently incarcerated and those impacted by systemic oppression a medium to express their artistic creativity. As a member of Fly Start foundation, he cultivates growth and creativity, working alongside other imprisoned artists to share their artistic visions with the world. For Tomas, art has always been a way to escape and revitalize the spirit. Art is not only an avenue of expression and freedom within his confinement, but a form of inspiration and connection with others oppressed by the prison system. He hopes to inspire those currently oppressed through the power of artistic expression.
Tomas Afeworki captures the spirit and strength of Black revolutionaries in his work through dynamic blends of charcoal and vibrant pastels. His portraits uplift revolutionary leaders as icons of courage, sacrifice, and power, visualizing one of the artist’s favored phrases: “history admires the wise, but elevates the brave.” Deeply connected to revolutionary history, Tomas draws inspiration from iconic figures such as Angela Davis, Fred Hampton and George Jackson, whose legacies inform his work. Recalling George Jackson’s definition of “reform” as another word for “fascism,” Afeworki embraces art as a way to move beyond legal reforms:
"That's where art comes in. Art comes in to banace it out. To stay focused and let your mind expand. To find other ways of getting people out, to get the hell out of prison, becuase otherwise I'm just stuck in law... Art is a form of resistance."
Tomas is currently serving a 45 year sentence for a crime he did not commit. To learn more about his case, the missing video and DNA evidence, missing police reports, and history of corruption from Seattle PD and the Detective in his case, visit: www.FreeTomas.com. Or write to him at:
Tomas S. Afeworki
#826367 H1 A 29
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
191 Constantine way
Aberdeen Wa, 98520
GALLERY
