Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme explore incarceration through sound and poetry at Brown University's Bell Gallery

From February 19 to May 31, 2025, The Bell Gallery at Brown University will host 'Prisoners of Love: Until the Sun of Freedom,' curated by Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme. This exhibition delves into the theme of artistic representation within systems of imprisonment, incorporating sound, video, and sculptural elements. It strategically utilizes fragmentation, featuring interviews with former Palestinian political prisoners, poetry, and moments of silence. Samih Al-Qasim’s poem 'Enemy of the Sun' draws parallels between Black political prisoners in the U.S. and Palestinian detainees. Curators Kate Kraczon and Thea Quiray Tagle frame the exhibition within a larger context of incarceration, while the artists’ work resonates with contemporary figures such as Hito Steyerl and Walid Raad, utilizing materials that reflect the architecture of confinement.