Exonerated on Feb. 28, 2024, after spending 28 years on death row at SCI Phoenix with much of that time in solitary confinement, 54-year-old Daniel Gwynn was finally free from his unjust incarceration in a Pennsylvania state prison cell in Skippack Township.

A year later, to celebrate the release of this wrongly-convicted prisoner who found survival and redemption through painting, the Moravian University School of Theology, in partnership with Bethlehem Area Moravians, hosted “Art for Justice” at Bahnson Center on Sept. 30.

“The City of Brotherly Love tried to kill me for something they knew I didn’t do,” remarked Gwynn as he related his story.

Gwynn was born in Philadelphia and raised by his maternal grandmother after his parents abandoned him.

Beginning with his acrylic “Where’s Daddy?” depicting a lonely boy missing his absent father, Gwynn walked the audience through his journey from a difficult childhood and falling into drug addiction, to his incarceration and beyond. Despite these nightmarish conditions, Gwynn became a self-taught artist and chronicled his struggles through his acrylic paintings. Gwynn credits fellow inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal with encouraging his pursuit of expressing himself through art, as well as the community of prisoners who helped him adjust to prison life. “Art became my lifeline,” Gwynn said.

Explaining the meaning behind “Injustice Denied” (2014; acrylic, 18 in. by 24 in.) the artist relates that after decades of being locked in “the bowels of a death row solitary confinement cell,” he still found hope “that someday I would be free.” Gwynn spoke about how “The Wall: AfJ” (2014; acrylic, 17 in. by 21 in.) paints Art for Justice cofounder and Executive Director Anne Marie Kirk reaching down to him over the “wall of lies” of his prison to help him tell his story.

Alerted to the inmate’s artwork and harrowing situation by her friend, Peggy Sims from the PA Prison Society, Kirk began corresponding with Gwynn and purchasing his paintings. She explained, “I would buy the art, show it with Art For Justice, but I said, ‘when you come home, I will give you all the art back.’” On returning the artwork to the artist, Kirk said, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Gwynn was granted his freedom after a Philadelphia judge overthrew his conviction for arson and murder for a deadly fire in a West Philadelphia abandoned building. Gwynn and five other unhoused people had been squatting there. The flames killed a homeless woman named Marsha Smith.

After reviewing the case, the District Attorney’s Federal Litigation Unit determined that the prosecutor had withheld critical evidence that should have cleared the defendant at that time.

Gwynn and his attorneys became aware of this evidence when the full file was turned over to them by ADA David Napiorski. It showed that witnesses identified another suspect who had made threats, as well as the array of photos shown to witnesses had not included an image of Gwynn.

After gaining his freedom, Gwynn temporarily moved in with his sister. Kirk reached out to the Leight family and others who responded by providing bedding and other needed assistance to the released prisoner. “The State has totally neglected their responsibility after trying to murder him,” says Kirk. “There’s a long way to go.”

In working with Art for Justice, Gwynn dedicates himself to exposing systemic flaws in the criminal justice system and advocating for more humane approaches to justice and rehabilitation.

For more information email danielgwynn197.com or visit artforjustice.org; moravian.edu/school-theology.