Natalie Osborne Fights Wrongful Convictions, One Portrait at a Time
By Victoria Editor
Natalie Osborne (she/her) is a Chicago-based portraitist/painter who sells original paintings and prints as artistic advocacy to support the exoneration efforts of the Innocence Project.
Natalie Osborne during a studio visit
V: In your own words, tell me about the Innocence Project and its mission.
N: The Innocence Project uses DNA evidence and forensic science to exonerate innocent people who are in jail or on death row. The IP is mostly on the east coast, but there is also The Exoneration Project and The Innocence Network. The IP has been around for about 25 years. The reason why I know most about it is because of Erin Patterson who was wrongfully incarcerated and tortured into a confession here in Chicago. He spent 17 years in prison. There were students who helped to bring his case to light and that caught the attention of IP. Another organization involved was The Prisoners of Conscience Committee, which was founded by Fred Hampton, Jr. They deal with those who are imprisoned for their political background or the background of their parents. I would go to their meetings to find about any events they’re having to raise awareness.
V: So that was the first time you heard about it?
N: Yes, that was the first time I had heard about IP. After that, it just kind of followed me around. I would see stories about people who were being wrongfully incarcerated and then I’d see lawyers from IP. They would kind of just pop up. Sometimes, without them even saying the name, I could recognize 2 or 3 lawyers. I’d see footage of someone being released and see those main lawyers. So, I realized that they were really gaining ground and that they were committed to the work because they kept turning positive results.
V: What role have you assumed to assist in carrying out that mission as an artist?
N: I used to look at my work and think, “It doesn’t necessarily have a message, but what could it be used for?” Now I use it to raise funds for organizations, so people contact me to request paintings for auctions to do that. Then I started thinking that I could raise money for IP, but there are certain ways that you have to go about it. I found out that a lot of the money is federally funded and that’s a hindrance. In 2017, Jeff Sessions as the new attorney general made moves to end DNA and forensic science used in exoneration. The Washington Post stated, “Jeff Sessions will end the departmental justice partnership with independent scientists to raise forensic science standards.”
Natalie Osborne at the Randolph Street Market
Photographer: Victoria Gwen for PosArtDip, July 29, 2018
V: What is your opinion on the motivation behind getting rid of forensic science used in this manner?
N: My guess is that since there’s a business of prisons, there are people in political positions who benefit from prison labor. Lobbyists approach people in positions of power to tell them their clients would financially benefit from certain legislation. Or its a numbers game with prosecutors just looking to bulk up their prosecutions to build credibility and advance in their careers. Otherwise, I can’t understand why they wouldn’t want to be sure that the right people are serving the time.
V: So how did you try to re-strategize?
N: When I realized that the organizations would be in danger, I thought my contribution could still go towards awareness, events, anything. So for now, I just paint. I’m waiting for my work to become what it’s gonna be, but in the meantime, it moves. My goal is to have an exhibition that sells pieces where the profits can be donated to these causes in Chicago.
Natalie Osborne at the Randolph Street Market
Photographer: Victoria Gwen for PosArtDip, July 29, 2018
V: Is there anything else that you want to tell me?
N: I just want to tell anyone who’s an artist, writer, creative in any way that we always think they we can't be that until we know what our work is about. More than half of us don’t know that, but if you feel that it can be a vehicle to bring about change through donating, fundraising is the way to make you feel that your work is speaking for something before you get to the point where it does have a clear message. You work may never develop a voice, but you can still donate to a cause.
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Bibliography
Hsu, Spencer S. “Sessions orders Justice Dept. to end forensic science commission, suspend review policy.” Apr. 10, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/sessions-orders-justice-dept-to-end-forensic-science-commission-suspend-review-policy/2017/04/10/2dada0ca-1c96-11e7-9887-1a5314b56a08_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.95466c988aa5, Dec. 19, 2018.
Innocence Project. “Founder’s Circle.” https://www.innocenceproject.org/disciplines/founders/#, Dec. 19, 2018.
Innocence Project. “Exonerate the Innocent.” https://www.innocenceproject.org/exonerate/, Dec. 19, 2018.
Innocence Project. “Financials.” https://www.innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IP-AR2016_16sm.pdf, Dec. 19, 2018.
Innocence Project. “Misapplication of Forensic Science.” https://www.innocenceproject.org/causes/misapplication-forensic-science/, Dec. 19, 2018.
Innocence Project. “Government Misconduct.” https://www.innocenceproject.org/causes/government-misconduct/, Dec. 19, 2018.
Eyewitness Identification Procedures: Recommendations for Lineups and Photospreads by Gary L. Wells, et al., Law and Human Behavior