Guantánamo’s Artists Fight for Beauty

March 1, 2023

Good morning. ⛅ Today we look at art made by Guantánamo Bay detainees, photos from New York's downtown underground scene of the 1970s and ’80s, a charming exhibition of miniature art in Manhattan, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.'s political posters, and more.

We also ask: Why did the Getty leave out destroyed and damaged Armenian heritage sites from a book on cultural erasure? And why did a London hospital remove paintings made by children from Gaza?

Also, check out our monthly roundup of shows to see in Los Angeles, post-snow and February’s art fair storm.

— Hakim Bishara, Senior Editor

Guantánamo’s Artists Fight for Beauty

Remaking the Exceptional allows us to feel the furious joy that emanates from those who have saved their own lives with activism and art. | Erin L. Thompson and Maliha Tasnim

SPONSORED

Creativity Explored Celebrates 40 Years of Supporting Artists With Developmental Disabilities

The San Francisco art collective will highlight six innovative artists at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City from March 2 to 5. Learn more.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The plates on display at the hospital (all images courtesy UK Lawyers for Israel)

A London hospital removed artwork said to be made by schoolchildren in Gaza under pressure from UK Lawyers for Israel, who described the drawings as “anti-Israel propaganda.”

According to a project description, Palestinian students sent pictures of “everyday life” and London schoolchildren then transposed them onto plates. The finished artworks were hung near the entrance of the hospital’s pediatric outpatient wing.

SPONSORED

Knight Foundation Funds the Future of Art With Grants for South Florida Artists

Six Knight New Work Winners received a total of $500,000 to support the use of technology in their practices. Learn more.

ON OUR RADAR

10 Art Shows to See in LA This March

Your list of must-see, fun, insightful, and very Los Angeles art events this month, including Alison Saar, Kade Twist, a show on the visual language of protest, and much more. | Matt Stromberg

These Miniature Artworks Prove That It's the Little Things In Life

The exhibition Small is Beautiful, featuring over 100 tiny art pieces, is now on view in New York. | Rhea Nayyar

The “Society Photographer” of NYC’s Downtown Underground

Jimmy DeSana’s work remains transgressive, even by today’s standards. | Julia Curl

California’s City of Compton Gets Its Own Museum

“We don’t have to go to Long Beach, or Downtown, or West LA to the Getty,” said artist Anthony Lee Pittman. “We can see art right here.” | Matt Stromberg

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An excitement and urgency is present in each of his works, resulting in posters that are equally informative and visually delightful. | Angelina Lippert

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