# Captivating Prison Portraits Alyse Emdur's Prisoner Portraits Photo Series is Idyllic and Sad By Farida Helmy | Published 2014-03-05 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prisoner-portraits References: [beautifuldecay](http://beautifuldecay.com/2014/02/28/painted-prison-backdrops-offer-temporary-escape-incarceration/) & [alyseemdur](http://www.alyseemdur.com) Taking us behind bars and into the world of prison, photographer Alyse Emdur takes us into the visitation rooms of penitentiaries with his 'Prison Landscaped' series of prisoner portraits. The captivating series of prisoner portraits shows penitentiaries with artistic backdrops such as idyllic and soothing landscapes to help prisoners escape the reality of their life just for a minute or two. Featuring both the prisoners posing in front of the backdrops and the [painted backdrops on their own](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painting-exhibition), the series is both fascinating and deeply saddening. “Prison visiting room portraits are constructed to intentionally leave out the reality of prison. The aim of my project is not to be an authority on that which is left out, but to rather make the artifice visible," says Emdur. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Artistic Backdrops:** Creating idyllic and soothing landscapes as backdrops in various settings provides an opportunity for creating immersive and escapist experiences. - **Reality Escape:** Designing environments that allow individuals to temporarily disconnect from their harsh realities presents opportunities for creating therapeutic and rejuvenating experiences. - **Intentional Exclusion:** Exploring the deliberate omission of certain aspects in a controlled environment offers possibilities for highlighting underlying truths and generating empathy. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** The photography industry can leverage the concept of artistic backdrops to enhance storytelling and create visually compelling narratives. - **Therapeutic Experiences:** The healthcare industry can integrate reality escape environments to provide patients with moments of respite and improve their overall well-being. - **Visual Arts:** The visual arts industry can explore intentional exclusion as a means to challenge perceptions, provoke emotions, and stimulate dialogue around societal issues. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Immigration System-Inspired Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passport-series.md) - [Toronto Art Wine Colllabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-prisoner-wine-co-and-artist-justin-broadbent.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Organic Illuminated Artful Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cages-mobiles-and-rock.md) - [Travel-Inspired Canvas Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-passport-series.md) - [Suburban-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suburbaninspired-art-exhibition.md) - [Vibrant Design Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neon-primitivism.md)