News
Beyond the Frame
19/01/2012
Beyond the Frame presents fresh and diverse work by 29 of Cuba’s leading artists, never before seen in Britain, in support of the campaign for justice for the Miami Five.
From the political to the poetic, the visionary to the everyday, the show embraces the vitality of the island's contemporary art scene, together with original works by other internationally acclaimed artists plus artworks by two of the Miami Five.
It includes painting, drawing, mixed media, prints and photographic work, all available for sale. All proceeds will go the on UK campaigning for Freedom for the Five.
LONDON
LONDON – 23-28 April 2012
Gallery 27, 27 Cork Street, London, W1S 3NG Open from 10am daily
GLASGOW –, 07-13 May 2012
At The Lighthouse, Gallery 5, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NU
Open: Mon,Wed-Sat 10:30am-5pm; Tue 11am-5pm; Sun 12pm-5pm
Beyond the Frame Update
When the doors of Gallery 27 in Cork Street open on 23 April, viewers entering the gallery will have the unique opportunity to visit one of the most thought-provoking exhibitions in London this spring.
However, it will be more than a serious and exciting panoramic display of artistic practice in Cuba today - the exhibition also aims to raise awareness about the case of the Miami 5. That is why pride of will be given to the work of Antonio Guerrero and Gerardo Hernández, two of the Five who have turned to creating art during the 13 years they have spent behind bars.
The show, loosely themed by its title Beyond the Frame: Contemporary Cuban Art, includes a range of artwork from Cuba, created by 29 of the country’s foremost artists and photographers.
Viewers will find several pieces totally stunning, some unsettling and thought provoking, others humorous and cheerful, but all of it remarkable.
Up to 20 artists – mainly based in the UK but also from Ireland and the US – have also generously decided to exhibit alongside the Cuban artists with donated artwork of their own.
The standing and recognition achieved by each of the artists who are contributing work, as well as the esteem in which the exhibition’s patrons are held will help to realize the exhibition’s goal of helping to break the silence surrounding the case of the Miami 5.
ARTWORK FOR SALE
Every exhibit in Beyond the Frame has been generously donated by the artists. The exhibition itself has been organised entirely by voluntary labour from specialists in the art field as well as by CSC members. The Cuba Solidarity Campaign has undertaken this project in close collaboration with the artists involved; with Cuba’s National Council of Visual Arts (CNAP); and with the Cuban Institute for Friendship between People (ICAP). This means that every painting or photograph sold will provide much needed resources for the campaign for justice for the Miami 5.
Full details on the exhibition and how to support it here
For details on how to donate to the exhibition and receive and invation to the private view see here
Other ways to support Beyond the Frame
New address for Miami Five prisoner Antonio Guerrero
13/01/2012
On 12 January 2012, Antonio Guerrero was transfered from Florence Colorado to the Federal Correctional Institution in Marianna Florida. This is the same federal correctional institution where Rene Gonzalez was held until he was released in October 2011.
Antonio wanted everyone to know that he is settling in to his new situation. The struggle for Antonio's freedom and that of his four brothers must continue until they are returned home to Cuba.
New address to write to Antonio:
Antonio Guerrero
#58741-004
Quarters: APACHE A
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O.Box 7007
Marianna, FL 32447-7007
Below is the first letter from Antonio from Marianna.
Dear Friends,
I am in the prison of my destination, where René's furtive presence of peace, respect, friendship, his dedication to study and physical exercise still lingers.
Yes, it is the medium security prison of Mariana, Florida.
A brief summary of my trip:
I left on Thursday the 5th, in the morning from Florence and headed to the airport of Pueblo. To our surprise already waiting for us was the plane from Oklahoma for the first exchange of prisoners, the ones who would stay in that zone of Colorado and those of us who would travel to the Transit Center.
We flew to California. I had never flown so far to the west. I was "close" to Gerardo, because there we picked up those who were leaving Victorville.
Then we had a direct flight of several hours returning to the center of this extensive country, that is to say, to Oklahoma. Nothing new was waiting for me there. I was on the list of the first ones who exited the plane: those of us headed to the "hole."
The authorities there had reserved for me the same cell during my last stay there. Yes, the same "solitary place" where various poems of mine were born two years ago.
This time, "the girls" who distribute the medications were no one I could recall. There was no time nor inspiration for verses. I left Oklahoma this past Tuesday the 10th.
We flew another long traverse with the destination being Jacksonville. There we were picked up by a bus that took us to the prison in Tallahassee, where we only spent a few hours "sleeping."
At 3 in the morning on the 11th, we were already getting ready to travel by highway to our final destination. It felt to me like an endless trip in a dark morning of intense rain.
We had not been able to have communication until today the 12th (it always takes 24 hours when arriving to a new prison).
Oh, I almost forgot: this time, finally, there was no "black box".
I have missed you all, although as I told you, you have accompanied me and you accompany me always.
Later, I will be telling you my first impressions here.
Five embraces.
!Venceremos!
Tony Guerrero Rodríguez
January 12, 2012
FCI Marianna
6:35 a.m.
Antonio's paintings will feature in the Beyond the Frame exhibiton in April/May 2012
Amnesty labels Miami Five trial as unfair
04/01/2012
In its 2011 Annual Report Amnesty International singled out the trial of the Miami Five under the heading of 'Unfair Trials' in the United States county report.
This was the only trial in the US to be singled out by by Amnesty International as unfair in this report.
The exact entry reads:
Unfair Trials
In June, a new appeal was filed in the case of Gerardo Hernández, one of five men convicted in 2001 of acting as intelligence agents for Cuba and related charges. The appeal was based, in part, on evidence that the US government had secretly paid journalists to write prejudicial articles in the media at the time of trial, thereby undermining the defendants' due process rights. In October, Amnesty International sent a report to the Attorney General outlining the organization' s concerns in the case.
On October 2010 Amnesty International had published a Report on the case of the Five concluding that:
"The organization believes that the concerns outlined above combine to raise serious doubts about the fairness of the proceedings leading to their conviction, in particular the prejudicial impact of publicity about the case on a jury in Miami. Amnesty International hopes that these concerns can still be given due consideration by the appropriate appeal channels. Should the legal appeals process not provide a timely remedy, and given the long prison terms imposed and length of time the prisoners have already served, Amnesty International is supporting calls for a review of the case by the US executive authorities through the clemency process or other appropriate means."
Read the Amnesty International 2011 United States report here
Read the October 2010 Amnesty International Report here