Purvis Young, an artist featured in “The Pencil Is a Key: Drawings by Incarcerated Artists” began to draw while serving a two-year sentence at North Florida’s Raiford State Penitentiary from 1961–64. He started his practice by using art history textbooks from the prison library for guidance. . After his release, Young continued to draw and paint, using found materials and developing a characteristic, semi-abstract figurative style. When asked about his work, Young professed a desire to spread “peace in the world.” . “The Pencil Is a Key: Drawings by Incarcerated Artists” is on view until January 5, 2020. Throughout the run of the exhibition, admission to The Drawing Center will be FREE (Wed - Sun, 12pm - 6pm | Thurs, 12pm - 8pm)⁣ . Image: Purvis Young, “Untitled,” 1964. Ballpoint pen and crayon on paper. Courtesy of The Larry T Clemons Collection. Photograph by Martin Parsekian. . #ThePencilIsaKey #thedrawingcenter