In a city of angels, in a city of some many varying angles, Mr. Wash is at an epicenter. The story has been written but begs repeating: Mr. Wash was born, Fulton Leroy Washington. A self-taught artist and criminal justice reform advocate living and working in Compton, Wash was wrongfully convicted in1997 for what was “a non-violent drug offense and handed a life sentence due to mandatory minimums.” As he honed in and developed his love of painting while in prison, it wasn’t until President Obama granted him clemency 21 years later that Mr. Wash was set free. And in some ways, Mr. Wash being freed also made him think about the spaces we inhabit and where we call our creative homes.
This has culminated in ARTISTS IN SPACE, a book presented by the Compton-based, Jeffrey Deitch affiliated artist. The 200-page book presents a visual archive of studio environments from 20 of Los Angeles’ most dynamic working artists today (many of whom, including Mr. Wash, are featured in our new group show, Against a Bright, Blue Sky). The book, now available for presale, will see all proceeds of the project going towards building another major hub for the artist, the Art By Wash Studio & Community Center, a space in Compton “dedicated to growth and restoration via arts programming, creative residencies, and housing for formerly incarcerated individuals.”
Much of this feels like a full circle moment for Mr. Wash. While spending time in three different penitentiaries, Wash served as an art instructor, discovering the power of art as both a form of expression and a means of escape. “In many ways, the process of creating Artists in Space became a source of inspiration,” he says. “This project will help bring a long-held dream to life, but also reframes my understanding of what a studio can be, beyond the confines of incarceration. Studio practice is often solitary, and much like my prison experience, these studio visits underscore the importance of exchanging stories and sharing space to help you actualize your own vision."
I asked Mr. Wash a few questions this week, about the book but mostly about what space means to him. This is the key to the book, this idea of what we make of space. What is profound in the documentation here is that each creative has their own idea of what to make of creative space. Some of it is indoors, some outdoors, some big wide walls and minimal and some clustered and noisy (but beautiful, too). Mr. Wash’s open-minded, and this book about space to help support his new creative hub in Compton is all a celebration of how to give others freedom to move and create. It’s about how to make a home.
Evan Pricco: I think simply I wanted to know how building a community of artists and foundation for others reflects back into his own work?
Mr. Wash: In my own artworks and creations, like the Community Center, I try and build bridges. Bridges of creative thought to explore the possibilities of what has never been painted seen or felt!
EP: What is LA to you? You could have gone anywhere after your time in prison. What makes this city so special?
MW: LA is a cultural soup bowl. It’s one of the rare places on earth that every nationality can be found coexisting together in neighboring communities expressing their culture on the world. What such a wonderful flavor of opportunity to embrace the family structures, the foods, and their lifestyles. That is pure energy for growth!
EP: There is the book, there is the center, there are upcoming shows, how do you want to end 2025 and open 2026 for yourself?
MW: What I look forward to is creating opportunities for others. I’m most happy when I can make the desires, thoughts, and dreams of others come true.
