Condemned double murderer/death row inmate,set to be legally murdered in 6 days,has art exhibit on public display at YWCA in CA
Joe1orbit
Here is a pretty long and interesting article on an exhibition of artwork by
death row inmates, over in California. It certainly sounds like a cool exhibit,
and I would urge anyone living in the Oakland, CA area to bop on down to the
downtown YWCA building and get a gander at the artistic creations of a
victimized creation of your diseased society, double murderer Jaturun
Siripongs, who is scheduled to be legally murdered very soon, via the death
penalty.
This exhibition does feature the artwork of other, former and current death
row inmates as well, but Jaturun is apparently the featured one. It really is
AMAZING how EXTREMELY artistic and creative many serial and mass murderers, and
even solo murderers, are. I have always felt that the average murderer is far
more SENSITIVE then the average non-murderer, in terms of his personality.
Sensitivity leads to a heightened likelihood of artistic/creative talent. And
truly PROLIC murderers, of the serial and mass variety, are even MORE likely to
be highly sensitive, thus artistically talented, then is the "ordinary" solo
murderer.
We get some details below on the paintings that are on display at this
exhibit, and we also get RIDICULOUS commentary from the BIGOTED HYPOCRITES like
Marc Klaas, who INSANELY proclaims: "If they show an exhibition of his artwork,
they should also show an exhibition of his crime scene. That would allow people
to make a more balanced judgment." No Marc, you wouldn't know the meaning of
the word "balanced" if it leaped into your lap, you hypocrite. Although I must
say that it WOULD be kind of artistically cool to have gory photos of the crime
scenes interspersed among the original artistic creations of the killers. SOME
killers consider their CRIMES to be "works of art", and rightly so, since art
comes from the SOUL and the cathartic expression of personal rage and hate
through violence is a DEEP, internal, soul-based activity.
The work of both John Wayne Gacy and Richard Ramirez is apparently being
displayed at this exhibition. Great to see these famous serial killers get some
artistic attention and appreciation. At least Richard is still alive to enjoy
this. I am PROUD to inform anyone who cares that I own 3 original JW Gacy
paintings, that I personally commissioned from John. Two of them are unique
originals, while the third is a more generic clown-based painting. I treasure
all 3, and would not sell any of them, unless offered at LEAST $250,000 for any
ONE. Even then, I would hesitate greatly, and REFUSE to sell all 3 for
$750,000. I would INSIST upon keeping one of them, even if a HUGE amount of
money might get me to part with 1 or two out of the 3.
Our featured artist at this exhibition is due in court today for a CLEMENCY
hearing. I certainly hope that Jaturun manages to win a stay of execution. The
curator of this art show is promising to keep this exhibit open for as long as
Jaturun lives, as a useless but sincere show of solidarity with him. Jaturn,
who committed his double murder WAY back in 1981, has created about 600
original paintings, and GIVES most of them away to friends and fans.
Personally, if I ever found myself in jail, I would follow J.W. Gacy's route
and DEMAND payment for all of my "creations". Even autographs. I would charge
at least $5.00 per autograph. I would not allow myself to be EXPLOITED for
free, I would at least get SOME benefit from all my chosen
correspondents/pen-pals/fans.
But Jaturun is apparently not interested in materialism, and is satisfied
with simply getting his artwork painted and displayed in public. Cool enough in
my book. John Wayne Gacy still have the artistic STANDARD locked up. His
INFAMY, together with his artistic talent, gave his artwork a VALUE, a monetary
value, that all other multiple murderer artists will be hard-pressed to equal.
To view a prison photo of our sensitive, artistic double murderer facing
iminent legal murder, simply point your web browser to:
http://www.channel2000.com/news/stories/news-990202-073031.html
By the way, I AM aware that Jaturun is NOT a serial or mass murderer, but
this gets posted to my Mailing List too, because it involves information and
mention of serial killers like Richard and John Wayne.
Take care, JOE
The following appears courtesy of the 2/1/99 online edition of The Los
Angeles Times newspaper:
February 1, 1999
A Rogues' Gallery of Art on Display
Crime: Exhibits featuring paintings by death row inmates inspire sympathy in
some observers, pain and anger in others.
By MARIA L. LA GANGA, Times Staff Writer
OAKLAND--When curator Laura Magnani looks at the unusual exhibit, she sees an
eloquent argument why the artist should not be executed in California's death
chamber eight days from today.
The serene still-lifes, the delicate penciled nude, the Masai warrior
rendered in watercolor, are all proof to Magnani that "there's something else
in the person that's worth saving. You can't really look at these pieces
without seeing that."
When victims' rights advocate Marc Klaas thinks about that same
exhibit--"Visions of Life: Art Out of Death Row" by Jaturun Siripongs, who was
convicted of a double murder in Orange County--he wishes the show was more
complete.
"If they show an exhibition of his artwork, they should also show an
exhibition of his crime scene," Klaas said. "That would allow people to make a
more balanced judgment."
Balanced judgment is hard to come by when considering the works of prison
artists. From the ghoulish clown art of John Wayne Gacy to the paintings of
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez, this "outside art" or "raw art" often raises
hackles, sometimes raises money for art supplies, occasionally even raises
consciousness.
Magnani, program director for justice and youth at the American Friends
Service Committee, is hoping for changed minds. Siripongs is scheduled for a
clemency hearing before the Board of Prison Terms on Tuesday.
Invitations to the condemned man's exhibit show a detailed portrait of an
Asian woman on the front--a black-and-white version of one of Siripongs' 32
works on display. On the back, the cards exhort viewers to "write now for
clemency to Gov. Gray Davis."
"Visions of Life" went on exhibit Jan. 20 at the rambling YWCA building in
downtown Oakland, where plans are for it to remain until the day after
Siripongs' scheduled execution.
Jaturun "Jay" Siripongs, 43, faces execution for the strangulation death
of a food store manager and the fatal stabbing of a clerk during a 1981 robbery
in Garden Grove. The Thai native was arrested two days after the murders, when
he tried to purchase a television with a victim's credit card.
Siripongs was scheduled to die by lethal injection Nov. 16, when a federal
judge halted the execution to consider a claim that the former Buddhist monk's
civil rights were violated when Gov. Pete Wilson denied clemency.
Many of those fighting against Siripongs' execution believe that he was
present during the robbery but did not commit the murders. Prosecutors point to
the cuts on Siripongs' hands, the dried blood in his car and the knives and
jewelry found in his home to underscore his guilt.
According to Death Penalty Focus of California, which is fighting
Siripongs' execution, the inmate has admitted involvement in the robbery but
contends that an accomplice killed the victims. Siripongs has refused to
identify the accomplice and none has been charged.
"In Jay's case we actually think he did not commit the crime," said
Magnani, whose organization has exhibited inmate art for decades. For those who
have committed crimes, the art they create is "a way for people to see the
human side of prisoners, to understand that people are not the sum total of
their worst act."
Siripongs began drawing as a teenager in his native Thailand. But he did
not "fully develop his artistic talents until he went to San Quentin in 1983,"
according to the biography that accompanies the show.
He is self-taught, works in his death row cell and favors realism, the
biography says, "because it requires no interpretation and is consistent with
his Buddhist practice of seeing and accepting people and things as they are."
Throughout his 17 years at San Quentin, Siripongs has created more than
600 pieces--almost all of which he has given away to friends and attorneys. He
has worked in a variety of media, including pencil, pen and ink, oil and chalk
pastel, acrylic, water color and origami. He buys his materials from the prison
canteen.
These days, though, as his execution looms and his life constricts, "he's
down to pencils now," Magnani said, as she walks visitors through the spare
room where Siripongs' works hang.
After a crowded opening-day reception, the free exhibit has drawn a steady
trickle of art lovers, attorneys and the simply curious who have made the
requisite appointment to view the condemned man's work.
So far there has been no organized protest, in part because activists in
the victims' rights movement don't want to draw even more attention to a
display they consider utterly insensitive, said Susan Fisher, state vice
chairwoman for the Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau.
"There are always going to be people out there who buy or look at this
kind of stuff for freak value," said Fisher, who attended Siripongs' first
clemency hearing. "But the people who feel there's enough value in this man
that they put on an art show . . . are who I think are most appalling."
Curiosity brought Winton McKibben out last week to see Siripongs' work. He
wanted to see how a prisoner might spend his confinement, wanted to look for
clues to what could possibly rehabilitate someone behind bars.
Siripongs' work, said the art docent and retired superior court judge, is
pleasant and colorful, technically well done, but "I wouldn't call it great
art. . . . There's a lot of things he could do commercially. I'm not advocating
that he be released, but he could benefit from others, and that's worth
saving."
Siripongs paints, said Magnani, for the same reasons all artists
work--self-expression, self-discovery, the creation of beauty. But layered on
top of those traditional explanations are a few others. Prison is boring. Death
row is "horrendous."
"Having this outlet, he's just lucky," she said.
Alfred Dyer, who has spent 16 years on death row for killing two people,
likes to paint, he wrote, because it "helps me to feel free. My mind is in
another world then, not in lockup on death row."
Dyer's work hangs, along with the work of several prisoners and at least
one other condemned man, at Expressions, a gallery of African American art just
off Oakland's main drag. In a 1996 letter to the gallery's owners, Dyer wrote
that "painting is therapy for me, helping my thoughts from becoming
over-stressed."
Although there is little mystery as to why inmates paint and draw, it can
be a bit more difficult to understand why anyone would want to own the work of
people behind bars.
The Rev. Alan Laird, owner of Expressions gallery, said some people become
intrigued by the artists' stories and see their purchase of prison art as a
kind of "reaching out" to the inmates.
In the case of the world's better-known criminals, simple notoriety is
often the explanation. Laird noted that there is a small core of collectors who
buy what he dubs "executed art."
"Once the prisoner is executed, the art will go up to maybe 10 times the
value," said Laird, who sells most artworks by prisoners for $300 to $400.
Then there's Joe Roth, who spent $20,000 at a 1994 auction to buy more
than two dozen artworks by executed serial killer Gacy--so he could burn them.
"We wanted them wiped off the map," he said at the time.
Defense attorney Kendall Goh owns half a dozen of Siripongs' works, some
on display in the Oakland exhibit. She contends that the people who own his
works are not among the ghoulish or revenge-seeking.
They know the man. They care about him. As a result, none of the pieces
currently on display are for sale.
"His works are gifts of love," said Goh. "He gives them to people he cares
about. For the most part these are gifts from the heart."
-------------------------------------------------------
The following appears courtesy of today's Associated Press news wire:
Clemency Hearing Today For Double Murderer
Lawyers For Jaturun Siripongs Make Case For Calling Off His Scheduled Execution
Feb. 9
SAN FRANCISCO, February 2, 1999 -- Convicted double murderer Jaturun Siripongs,
scheduled to be executed Feb. 9, faced a clemency hearing today after
encountering prosecution resistance to an attempt to reopen his case.
Siripongs was denied clemency by Gov. Pete Wilson, but was kept alive by a
federal judge's decision that defense lawyers may have been misled about the
grounds for clemency. They have renewed their request to Gov. Gray Davis, who
will receive a recommendation after today's hearing of the state Board of
Prison Terms.
On Monday, a state lawyer asked the California Supreme Court to reject
Siripongs' bid to block the execution, and disputed a defense claim that
prosecutors had concealed their knowledge of Siripongs' accomplice.
Prosecutors have consistently expressed suspicion that the sister of Siripongs'
girlfriend was involved in a 1981 robbery and double murder, but have never
said they knew she or anyone besides Siripongs committed the crimes, Deputy
Attorney General Laura Hallgren said in court papers.
She said the latest appeal, filed last Thursday, was made "for the purpose of
defeating, embarrassing, and most particularly delaying justice."
Siripongs, 43, was convicted of robbing a Garden Grove market where he had
worked part-time, strangling the manager, Packovan "Pat" Wattanaporn, and
fatally stabbing store employee Quach Nguyen. He has admitted taking part in
the December 1981 robbery but insisted an accomplice, whom he would not
identify, committed the murders.
In Thursday's appeal, defense lawyers identified the alleged accomplice as
Netnara "Noon" Vecharungsri, the 17-year-old sister of Siripongs' girlfriend,
and a prosecution witness at his 1983 trial. Her bloodstained jacket was found
in a Dumpster and a letter to her was found beneath one victim's body,
circumstances she explained by saying she had left the jacket at Siripongs'
apartment.
In fact, defense lawyers said in court papers, Vecharungsri committed both
murders, and Siripongs, who had been stationed as a lookout, was stabbed in the
hands when he tried to stop her.
Attorney Michael Laurence said the information didn't come from Siripongs, who
is remaining silent out of fear for the safety of his family in his native
Thailand. Laurence said Vecharungsri is also in Thailand.
The new appeal said prosecutors presented Vecharungsri as an innocent witness
while concealing knowledge of her role that would have persuaded the jury to
spare Siripongs' life.
Defense lawyers said they first learned of prosecutors' knowledge last fall,
when Deputy District Attorney James Tanizaki told a reporter "there was a
strong suspicion that Siripongs had a female companion nicknamed Noon."
The trial prosecutor, Edgar Freeman, told another reporter, "I believe the
evidence shows there was a second person."
After those disclosures, newly hired defense experts criticized the failure of
the sheriff's crime laboratory to analyze blood and hair found at the scene
that belonged to neither Siripongs nor the victims, Laurence said. He said the
court should order new testing of that evidence, which has never been made
available to the defense.
But Hallgren, the state's lawyer, said a prosecutor told the trial judge in
open court that Vecharungsri and her sister knew more than they were telling,
and the judge agreed.
"This conclusion was obvious to all" in light of the evidence about her jacket
and her testimony about phone calls from Siripongs, Hallgren said.
She also cited a Garden Grove detective's statement in a 1983 report to the
trial judge that Siripongs "probably had an accomplice," and Freeman's
statement at a December 1995 federal court hearing that he suspected someone
else was involved but "we had no evidence of it."
The prosecutors' recent comments to reporters are consistent with their past
statements and do not show any concealed knowledge justifying a new appeal,
Hallgren said. She said the prosecution cannot be faulted "for not sharing its
unprovable hunches with defense counsel."
"Siripongs' repetitive assertions that he was not the real killer have been
closely examined over the years by many courts," the state lawyer said. "Each
time the conclusion has been the same -- the evidence of his guilt as the
killer is overwhelming."
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DedNdogYrs
so good because they have nothing else much to do.
Dogs & children first.