CECOT

Joan Skelton Smith exhibited new work at an exhibition in Corbera d’Ebre, Spain as part of the VIII Art Biennial of Human Rights. Located in Catalonia west of Taragona, the hilltop village was the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Spanish Civil War; the houses and church are preserved in their ruined state as an historical monument. This year artists were asked to create new work on the theme of Articles 11 and 12 of the Declaration of Human Rights.
“There are more than thirty artists of diverse disciplines participating, with the same aim, to denounce through art, the injustices that are done with false accusations, with arbitrary detentions and judgements lacking fairness” Josep Canada, exhibition curator.
The exhibition opened on June 28th and will run until September 11th.
Joan’s work entitled “CECOT” is cut paper mounted on ploycarbonate with mirrors measuring 90/120 cm.
US President Trump and President Bukele of El Salvador agree to send immigrants to the infamous CECOT prison in El Salvador and possible even sending US citizens to the prison. Each of the 256 cells can house an average of 156 inmates.[20] The cells are equipped with four-level metal bunks with no mattresses or sheets,[21] two toilets, and two washbasins.[19][20][22] The cells are lit by artificial lights 24 hours per day. Each cell is provided with two Bibles, and CCTV cameras and armed guards monitor each cell.