Jessica Hollon's 'Hydrotherapy At Alcatraz'

Hydrotherapy at Alcatraz
Jessica Hollon’s piece titled Hydrotherapy at Alcatraz represents a room of forgotten souls. She used a standard format paper to print on. This piece was taken at Alcatraz in the old part of the prison in the hospital area. They used this room for ice baths or hydrotherapy; it has two windows covered with vertical and horizontal bars, a tub, an old radiator, exposed broken pipes and some sort of an open commode. The tub is the only subtle hint of color that is captured in the piece. The bars on the windows seem to keep the secrecy and security of the room along with the dark shadows she captures in the corners
The walls are decomposing and breaking, insinuating escape but in all reality, it is the walls that have kept

them in. By taking the picture from the doorway she illustrates imprisonment and a scene of feeling intrusive. The tub that sits alone on one side makes is seem superior and ominous than the other objects. The rusted pipes pull all the pieces into the scene by them being exposed. By the artist placing the rusty drain in the center of the piece takes the captivating factor to a succeeding level.

The way that the artist captures the light coming through the windows with the bars signifies the tastes of freedom that is just beyond the reach of the inmate who has spent time within the chamber. This photo conjures a raw sorrowful feeling, and gives a sense of humbleness and strength. There is a deep feeling of loneliness and isolation while taking this photo in.
I think this piece of art is original in that I have not seen many pieces depicting life behind bars and the therapy's that go along with it. I did find a piece with the image of a cell filled with broken down amenities which were then filled with flower petals called Blossom by Ai Weiwei’ however, what that artist was depicting didn’t seem so sorrowful and lonely. I think this piece could have been a little more impactful if it were done with a filter that created more white, grey and black tones and a little less color. Overall, I appreciate the art and the artist and the feelings of empathy that her photo made me feel for the prisoners who were once exiled to this desolate island.