HOUSTON – On May 31st, 2024, Jamie Diaz felt freedom for the first time in nearly 30 years. In the early 1990s after being convicted of robbery related to her drug addiction, Jamie was sentenced to life in prison. The trans artist faced harassment and violence from other inmates and even prison guards, but she found an outlet by creating colorful art. She purchased simple watercolor sets from the prison commissary and created colorful paintings that allowed her to express her Queer identity and to work through the loneliness and isolation.
‘Love Jamie,’ a new documentary that chronicles Jamie’s life as an incarcerated trans artist, is part of the PBS American Masters series and was directed by filmmaker and native Houstonian Karla Murthy.
“The dignity of trans and queer people is constantly being challenged and chipped away at every day and there’s another level added to that if you’re incarcerated,” explained Murthy.
The film also features Gabriel Joffe, with whom Jamie communicated by phone and by exchanging letters while she was behind bars. Their deep friendship even resulted in a solo show of Jamie’s work at the prestigious Daniel Cooney Fine Art gallery in New York City.
After being released from prison last Friday, Jamie’s requests were to visit a local salon and the Menil Collection. She was accompanied by her friend Gabriel, with whom she can finally walk arm in arm.
‘Love, Jamie’ is streaming now.