“Exonerated: Portraits of the Wrongfully Convicted” Installation in Loyola Law Library Now Open to the Public
A new art installation with a powerful message is now open to the public inside the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law library.
“Exonerated: Portraits of the Wrongfully Convicted", is an exhibition of 27 sculptures by Baton Rouge artist Becky Gottsegen. The exhibition tells the stories of these individuals who collectively spent more than 700 years behind bars before they were exonerated.
The project began in 2021 when Gottsegen was commissioned to sculpt a portrait of Jerome Morgan, who was imprisoned at age 17 for nearly 20 years for a crime he did not commit. She next sculpted portraits of Jarvis Ballard (23.5 years wrongfully imprisoned) and Sullivan Walter (36 years) and gifted these to the men. After hearing stories of injustices from other exonerees, Becky decided to continue sculpting additional exonerees to raise awareness, inspire empathy, and advocate for criminal justice reform.
“I realized how little people knew about the many people who’ve been locked up for years in Louisiana prisons for crimes they did not commit,” said Gottsegen. “This exhibition aims to change that.”
“Exonerated: Portraits of the Wrongfully Convicted” will be on display at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Library from October 3 through December 2, 2025. The exhibition will be highlighted during an event with Sr. Helen Prejean, author of the book “Dead Man Walking.” This event will be open to the public.
The College of Law library is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.