the art & writing of

This piece can be seen on my other website,

www.mkelleherart.com

This piece is in my Harriet Tubman Series.   

I've put this here so you can read the story behind this piece.  

See below. 

The Note Board  and the  engraved text on it:

When I look at the photo of Harriet  Tubman and those she shepharded to freedom, I have to think they must have thought a lot about home.   Will I ever get back there?  Will I get there before I die?    We all have a home;  it’s where I feel safe.

Although Harriet, “the general,” was an extremely smart, crafty, and successful conductor on the underground railroad (at least eight times back to the south, 50-80 persons taken north), her attempts to rescue her sister, Rachel (and Rachel’s children), were unsuccessful.    

At the same  time I was making this piece,  I was making Friday visits to a condemned man who was awaiting a new trial.   I couldn’t help but think he, too, was remembering  home and yearning so hard to get back there.   John Thompson was freed on 5.9.03 after 18 years on Louisana’s death row. 

News Flash!  October 2010

After John was  found not guilty and released on the capital murder charge, on 5.9.03,  he and his attorneys continued on, legally.   About 2 years later, an Orleans Parish civil jury awarded John 14 million in damages for his 18 yrs wrongful imprisonment.  The fight is on:  In about July 2010, the US 

Supreme Court ruled it would RULE on the  issue, to decide whether or not John is  entitled to receive compensation from Orleans Parish for his years spent on  Louisiana death row.  See US Supreme Court, October 2010 docket,  Connick v Thompson, 09-571. 

April 2012:  The US Supreme Court denied John relief, no money, etc., in regard to his case.  The court claims protection for prosecutors -- 'they're just doing their job'  is the crux of it.

But -- be strong -- there are more cases working, winding their way.   We will prevail.