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Marking the 18th
anniversary of the opening of Guantánamo Bay prison, a new art
installation features works created by men incarcerated without charge or
fair process at the infamous facility.
Exhibition Opening Reception
Wednesday, February 19, 2020,
6:00 pm
City University of New York
(CUNY) School of Law
The exhibit showcases
artworks — the majority of which have never before been displayed — of
eleven current and former Guantánamo prisoners, and includes a range of
artistic styles and mediums. From acrylic landscapes on canvas to model
ships made from scavenged materials such as plastic bottle caps and
threads from prayer rugs, Guantánamo [Un]Censored celebrates
the creativity of the artists and their resilience. Regarding his
artwork, Moath al-Alwi, a Yemeni national and client of CUNY Law School’s
Immigrant and Non-Citizen Rights Clinic (INRC), said “Despite being in
prison, I try as much as I can to get my soul out of prison. I live a
different life when I am making art.”
Guantánamo Bay has become
a symbol of injustice, abuse, and flagrant disregard for the rule of law.
Since the prison camp opened in 2002, 780 men have been unlawfully
imprisoned. Many were subjected to torture and other brutal treatment.
Today, 40 men remain, nearly all held without charge or trial. While some
have already been cleared for release by the U.S. military and national
security agencies, they continue to languish in prison.
Special thanks to the
artists at Guantánamo for sharing their works — and to their lawyers who
provide hope.
Featured Artists: Mansoor
Adayfi, Moath al-Alwi, Djamel Ameziane, Mohammed al-Ansi, Ghaleb
al-Bihani, Towfiq al-Bihani, Assadulah Haroon Gul, Khalid Qasim, Sabry
Mohammed al-Qurashi, Ahmed Badr Rabbani, Abdulmalik al-Rahabi, Mohamedou
Salahi
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