My name is Kal-El Carey. I am an African American transmale who is currently incarcerated in a Pennsylvania women’s state prison.
I am also a new artist in search of community, guidance, and representation. I am a self-taught fine arts artist and I specialize in a style that I call, “Urban Abstract Surrealism”.
I have trademarked my own brand and artistic style called, “Z-coded “.
Z-coded, is a medical and/or mental health prison code that describes an inmate which the state deems too dangerous or mentally unstable to be housed with any other state prisoner for their, or another’s safety.
To those incarcerated, its just another oppressive mechanism used by the DOC to silence those within the system believed to be different from what their version of society labels as ” normal”. Basically, Z-coding is taking something normalized and making it different. My purpose in my art is to show that different is also beautiful.
I have been Z-coding for 4 years. I use mixed media but, my medium of choice is fluid acrylics. Painting is my way of coping with social anxiety, depression, and anger.
Music inspires my colors and emotions determine what visual effects will speak from my canvas. There are playlists to all of my works. One day, I pray, I would be able to host my own exhibition and everyone could listen to the songs that influenced and inspired my pieces.
I have participated in art shows with Let’s Get Free and I was one of ten incarcerated artists featured in the catalog book as a part of The 58th International Exhibit The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.
It has been difficult pursuing my art career from the inside. I am limited on resources and I have no contacts within the African American artists community. Some of my works is in the Blue Steel Art Gallery located in the Strip District
My mediums vary depending on what strikes me at the moment. Oil, acrylic, watercolor, canvas, clothing and paper. I utilize all as the mood hits.
-Kal-El
Z-Coded: Art by Kal-El Carey 