Artists are often limited by their resources, but few are as limited as Paul Knoll.
Knoll, a sculptor, is a Utah State Prison inmate in the maximum-security unit. Because of his living conditions, materials such as clay, paint and tools are a luxury not afforded him.Yet this talented artist has found a way to utilize the resources he does have and created work good enough that prison officials thought it worthy of an exhibit at the Utah State Fair. The materials he utilizes are those found on his food tray.
He takes the bread from his food tray, soaks it in water and then kneads it into dough, said Bob Eckman, an inmate service coordinator at the prison. He uses other food items, such as peas, beets and coffee, to paint his work.
"This guy does delicate work," Eckman said, noting the detail in Knoll's craft. "It's just unbelievable. As far as we know he's never had any training."
Knoll has been a resident at the prison for about six years and spends 23 out of 24 hours in his cell - alone.
"He does it to kill time," Eckman said. Knoll also trades the finished sculptures for stamped envelopes and other items, Eckman said. He's also been known to give them away to closer friends.
Knoll, who is serving a one- to 15-year sentence, had acted quite bitter toward other inmates and guards but has become much more positive lately because of the recognition his artwork has received, Eckman said.
"For the last year and a half we've encouraged him to do this (enter his work in an exhibit)," Eckman said. "This year he came to me and said, `I would like to put some things in the fair.' "
Although other inmates have entered exhibits in the fair, Eckman acknowledges that the work done by Knoll is superior.
"I've never seen another inmate doing anything like this," he said. "Artwise, he's a level above everyone else."
Ron Kelley, another inmate service coordinator who has worked with Knoll, reiterated that Knoll is exceptionally talented.
"Paul has his problems, but I'll tell you what, the guy is an artist."