Pejac Creates Site-Specific Works Inside Spain's Oldest Prison

Spanish artist Pejac, known for public art interventions, spent ten days inside El Dueso, Spain's oldest penitentiary, to create a series of site-specific works titled Gold Mine. With the help of inmates, he produced painted interventions across the building, including a tree composed of tally marks counting days, a golden trompe l'oeil on a basketball backboard, and an imaginary bird flying beyond the walls. The works are inaccessible to the usual art world audience of collectors, gallerists, and the public. Pejac noted that despite any resources or contacts, inside the prison he is at a disadvantage compared to the inmates. The project explores themes of guilt, constraint, redemption, and the desire for freedom suggested by the location.