In 2020, marking the 18th anniversary of the opening of Guantánamo Bay prison, the Sorensen Center partnered with the Center for Constitutional Rights and CUNY Law’s Immigrant and Non-Citizen Rights Clinic to host Guantánamo [Un]Censored: Art from Inside the Prison, featuring works created by men incarcerated without charge or fair process at the infamous facility. The installation showcased works – the majority of which have never before been displayed – of thirteen current and former Guantánamo prisoners, and included 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 celebrated the artists’ creativity and resilience.
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.
Special thanks to the artists at Guantánamo for sharing their works — and to their lawyers who provide hope.
Artists: Mansoor Adayfi, Moath al-Alwi, Djamel Ameziane, Mohammed al-Ansi, Ghaleb al-Bihani, Towfiq al-Bihani, Assadulah Haroon Gul, Khaled Qasim, Sabry Mohammed al-Qurashi, Ahmed Badr Rabbani, Abdulmalik al-Rahabi, Mohamedou Salahi. Writings By: Abdullatif Nasser
A model ship created by Moath al-Alwi. al-Alwi worked for 48 hours straight on each ship and became physically ill after completing them.
