Ann Lewis’ practice takes the form of street murals, community organizing, curatorial projects, and site-specific installations. Her work is about motivating social change within communities and championing those who are disempowered. In early 2014, while based in New York City, Lewis garnered national media attention when she installed an oversized police tape banner that read ‘GENTRIFICATION IN PROGRESS’ at the former graffiti mecca 5 Pointz in Queens, New York. In the fall of 2015, she was asked by the Obama administration to exhibit her work at the White House to discuss equality and mass incarceration.

“When women re-enter society after incarceration they must rely heavily on their creativity to overcome the legal barriers to employment, housing, and even reuniting with their families. They must also navigate judgement and the social stigmas placed on them by the community. With my work See Her I am asking the viewers to look past their presumptions and see the human, the woman looking back at them. We cannot face the challenge of mass incarceration without first recognizing the value of those entrenched in our criminal justice system.” — Ann Lewis