Moath al-Alwi's release from Guantánamo Bay brought him not only personal freedom but also the freedom of his artwork made during over two decades of detention. His departure on January 6, 2025, was part of a larger initiative to reduce the prison population before President Joe Biden's term ended. Al-Alwi's experiences illustrate how art became a vital form of self-expression and resistance, providing insights into the emotional experiences of detainees and the relationships formed within the walls of the detention center throughout its extensive history.
While not all detainees shared his passion, creating art was not an uncommon pursuit inside Guantánamo—indeed it has been a feature, formally and informally, of the detention center since its opening more than 20 years ago.
Examining the art offers unique ways of understanding conditions inside the facility, serving to reflect the emotions and experiences of detainees over more than two decades.
For al-Alwi, it meant freedom not only for himself, but also for his artwork, which he carried into resettlement as a new chapter in his life.
Making art was a way for him, and others, to survive and assert their humanity during the brutality of detention, including forced feedings and abuse.
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