» Shaking it up
A community archive shows what happens with a little people power
Rattling the Cage is a community archive of documents, textiles, photography and film used in the ‘Save Omar’ campaign, which has been curated by Louise Purbrick. It demonstrates the power of improvisation.
As a group of people from Brighton, Worthing and Eastbourne began to work together for the return of Guantánamo detainee Omar Deghayes to his home in Saltdean, they developed skills and materials that could be called an art of politics: they wrote letters and plays, performed on the street and for the screen. They also created posters, postcards, badges and clothing. The exhibition of their archive is an opportunity to reflect upon how the creativity of local people can be used to effect political change.
Omar Deghayes was finally released in December 2007 after more than six years imprisoned without charge or trial.
Rattling The Cage, Phoenix Gallery, until 21 March.
