What an Honor

May 12, 2016

Zahara Bahrami by Tracy Hetzel

During the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Global Drug Policy (April 19-21, 2016) The Museum Of Drug Policy, a pop­up cultural hub that includes an immersive art experience and special live programming, took a look at the impact of current drug policies on populations around the world. The Museum occupied space on Park Avenue for these three days. Through art, conversations and experiential events, the Museum showcased that the moment is now for drug policy reform and that damage caused by the war on drugs is evident across the world.

I had the great honor of being included among the artists that exhibited. My Execution Portrait Series, sponsored by Open Society Foundations, profiled 5 individuals who have been executed because of drug use or distribution. Their stories are heartbreaking and while working on these individuals I couldn’t help but become a bit emotional. My goal was to bring them a voice.

Above is my portrait of Zahara Bahrami.

Andrew Chan and Brian Chambers by Tracy Hetzel

Andrew Chan and Brian Chambers.

Martin Anderson and Myuran Sukumaran by Tracy Hetzel

Martin Anderson and Myuran Sukumaran.

Museum of Drug Policy portraits by Tracy Hetzel

Museum of Drug Policy portraits by Tracy Hetzel

Some pictures from the installation.

Museum of Drug Policy portraits by Tracy Hetzel

My portrait of Zahara Bahrami appeared on the Save the Date for the Event. And was even featured on a Jumbotron in Times Square (can you stand it!).

Portrait by Tracy Hetzel appeared in Times Square

I was even commended by Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York.

How he got my married name, I’ll never know…

tracy hetzel certificate of recognition

No Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *