Across Campus - A Photo Essay

The "Art from Guantánamo Bay" exhibition, which will be on view through May 7 at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries, features 101 works made by men held without trial, some for more than 15 years. The six artists include current (Moath Al Alwi and Ahmed Rabbani) and former (Muhammad Ansi, Abdualmalik Alrahabi Abud, Sabri Al Qurashi, Mansoor Adayfi) detainees. Pieces in the exhibition were taken from Guantánamo by the detainees' attorneys following the U.S. government's process of searching, scanning and analysis before approving release. Photos Chuck Thomas/ODU

A stamp reading "Approved by U.S. Forces" signals that a work has been cleared, and the stamp's ink often bleeds through to the image on the other side. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn, executive director for the arts, shows a boat made by Moath Al Alwi from personal belongings to a camera crew. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

The museum professionally framed all 2D pieces to protect them. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn, executive director for the arts, is interviewed by a camera crew. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

The art is carefully transported from art collection storage to a gallery for the exhibit. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn shows reporter Kohei Tsuji artist biographies, section titles and blurbs in one of the galleries. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

The lead image is Muhammad Ansi's “Hands Holding Flowers through Bars,” 2016, pigment on paper, 8.5 x 11 inches. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Stirling Goulart, assistant director of operations for the Gordon Galleries, prepares to hang the lead image for the "Art from Guantánamo Bay” exhibition. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn and Stirling Goulart unbox "Giant," a ship made by Moath Al Alwi. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn demonstrates the working rudder and captain's wheel. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn and Stirling Goulart place the model ship "Giant" on an enclosed pedestal. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

"Art from Guantánamo Bay" includes drawings, paintings and sculptures crafted with the few materials permitted to detainees, including model ships made from shirt scraps, prayer caps, razors and mops. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Cullen B. Strawn and Stirling Goulart place a protective vitrine on the pedestal. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Gallery lights project shadows of the mast and lines from "Model Clipper Ship." Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

A reporter points out the detail in Moath Al Alwi's ship. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

An overhead shot of Moath Al Alwi's "Model Gondola." Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Painting sponges make the seat cushion for Moath Al Alwi's "Model Gondola." Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

The "Art from Guantánamo Bay" exhibition, which will be on view until May 7, features 101 works made by men detained at Guantánamo Bay. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

"This exhibition has been five years in the making," said Cullen B. Strawn, executive director for the arts, "and we are excited by the opportunity to share it publicly and facilitate rich discussion." Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU

Beth D. Jacobs (center), one of the artists’ attorneys, gets a sneak peek of the "Art from Guantánamo Bay" exhibition in The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU