Leaving Guantánamo

How did these artworks end up in this exhibit? The reverse of several works are shown to demonstrate the system of clearance by the military authorities, with stamps signifying that the works have been scrutinized and cleared for release to lawyers or family members. A painting of a wall and a series of innocuous flower paintings allow for discussion of the rules – which works wouldn’t have been cleared for release?

Since suggestions of escape were disallowed, including ladders and walls, for a time, only the most abstract works were cleared. A model ship illustrates the source of most of the works in this exhibit – it is a gift to the detainee’s lawyer – as well as the scrutiny, since it was X-rayed before release.