# Books From Behind Bars Imprisoned Texas Artist Publishes Book Of Bizarre Art By John Charles | Published 2009-02-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michael-lee-fordprison-art References: [michaelleeford](http://www.michaelleeford.com) & [muralarts.org](http://www.muralarts.org/getinvolved/events.php?id=41) Imprisoned artist Michael Lee Ford has recently released a [book of his art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amusebouche) entitled "The Isolated Art of Michael Lee Ford." His drawings remind me of the work of author/artist Clive Barker and are very [powerful and filled with detail](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawing-on-space). Much of the art from the book will also be displayed in a [showing of prisoner art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith) in Philadelphia. **Implications** - The featured video shows off some of Michael Lee Ford's colorful and interesting artworks while angry rock music blares in the background. The jacket of the book explains that it brings a "fascinating look at the world through the mind's eye of a man serving 35 years." Michael Lee Ford was sentenced to jail for robbery in 1989. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Prisoner Artistry:** Opportunities for prison reform initiatives to integrate more programs to develop skills and talents of incarcerated individuals. - **Alternative Publishing:** Chance for independent publishers to expand their reach through unconventional works of art like those produced by incarcerated artists. - **Art as Therapy:** Growing trend towards using art as therapeutic practice especially in correctional facilities. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Publishing:** Potential market for independent publishers in exploring unconventional works of art like those produced by incarcerated artists. - **Correctional Facilities:** A growing trend towards providing art-based programs in correctional facilities as a form of rehabilitation. - **Art Education:** A growing demand for art therapy that could inspire institutions to offer art education programs in correctional facilities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Toronto Art Wine Colllabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-prisoner-wine-co-and-artist-justin-broadbent.md) - [Vibrant Artist Pop-Up Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keith-haring-popup-book.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Limited-Edition Collector's Boxsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collectors-boxset.md) - [Surfing-Focused Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raymond-pettibon-1.md) - [Custom Designed Wine Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-prisoner-red-blend.md) - [Provoking Graffiti Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-ruggeri.md) - [Interactive Colorful Art Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-hockney-bigger-closer.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md)