From New Castle Prison to Gallery Forty-Two

“Vern, can you imagine, man, us sitting and talking in F Dorm about the art show we’re going to have in downtown Indy at some point?”

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Vernon T. Bateman and Matthew Gunning join Naptown People’s Radio for a special episode. A project of the Indianapolis branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Naptown People’s Radio is recorded from the studio of the Indianapolis Liberation Center. The weekly show is co-hosted by Dani Abdullah and Derek Ford.

After not thinking they’d ever see each other again, in this special episode of Naptown People’s Radio, Matthew Gunning and Vernon T. Bateman get an opportunity to reflect on the time they spent together in New Castle “Correctional” Facility. Joined by the show’s co-host Derek Ford, Matthew and Vernon talk about how they developed their relationship, their perspectives on art and prison, and how they both used art to transcend the physical barriers unjustly imposed on them.

Listen for an inside view of their story and how, as Matthew puts it, the Vernon we know on the outside is exactly who Vernon was while held captive behind prison bars.

We’re releasing this special episode halfway through the two-week show, “Art for Exoneration: The Vernon T. Bateman Experience,” which runs from July 21 – August 2 at Gallery Forty-Two.