Donald Oliver Hooker | |
|---|---|
 C-Note in 2016, photographed by Peter Merts | |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | C-Note |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, poet, playwright, musician |
| Known for | Prison art, advocacy for prison reform |
Donald Oliver Hooker, better known by his street name C-Note (born December 13, 1965), is an American artist, poet, playwright, and musician known for his work confronting systemic injustice and advocating for prison reform.[citation needed] His art draws on his experiences within the criminal justice system, exploring themes of violence, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. He is a prominent figure in prison art and has been dubbed the "King of Prison Hip Hop."[citation needed]
Artistic emergence edit
C-Note discovered art as an outlet for self-expression and a way to confront the realities of prison life while incarcerated. Self-taught in drawing and painting, he began to explore various mediums, addressing themes of violence, addiction, redemption, and systemic flaws of the justice system through his art, which includes poetry, spoken word, drawings, and music.[citation needed]
Impact and recognition edit
C-Note's artistic output and thematic impact have earned him significant recognition. He was ranked by Google Search as America's and the world's most prolific prisoner-artist in 2017. His work, like Incarceration Nation and the Paintoem titled Today We Are Sisters, has been influential in raising awareness and advocating for issues like reparations for women forcibly sterilized in California prisons.[citation needed] His work has been featured in academic institutions,[1][2] criminal justice reform initiatives,[3][4] and numerous exhibitions,[5] highlighting the role of art in advocating for social justice and change. His work has been published in art books[citation needed] and has led to significant social change, including efforts to end long-term solitary confinement,[citation needed] and forced sterilization in California prisons. As a leading figure in prison art, he has been instrumental in raising awareness about the injustices within the prison system.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ "The Untapped Potential of Prison Art". American Prison Writing Archive - John Hopkins University. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ ""Imprisoned" by California State Prison, Los Angeles County". California State Prison, Los Angeles County (Lac). California State University, San Bernardino. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Inside the Program Training Actors in California Jails and Prisons". People. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "What Prison Reform Looks Like Inside California State Prison, L.A. County". PBS SoCal. April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Donald "C-Note" Hooker: A Prison Artist Who Celebrates Black Culture". Art Daily. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:American artists Category:American poets Category:American playwrights Category:American musicians Category:People from Los Angeles Category:Artists from California Category:Poets from California Category:Musicians from California Category:African-American artists Category:African-American musicians Category:American adoptees