LETTERS FROM THE ETUI

Services: Creative direction, Research, Graphic + Web Design

(Summer-Fall 2020)

A platform for an amalgamation of resources shared through prison walls in the US and abroad. Holding animations, spoken word poetry, texts, handwritten letters, and an accompanying series of workshops supporting abolitionist frameworks— from personal to political practice. This is a digital space created during the COVID Lockdowns for collective dreams beyond the prison industrial complex.

Project made alongside artist Mims, and released under the Feminist Center for Creative Works Artist and Organizer Residency. Collaborators include Cal State LA Prison BA Program, Mandy Harris Williams, 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, Golrokh Iraee, Prentis Hemphill, and Mathya Al Hassien. 

Handwritten note from Kamron Afary describing animation documentaries produced by prisoners in collaboration with animation students, highlighting efforts amidst COVID-19 to showcase creativity and justice issues.

image 1: A handwritten letter from Kamran Afary explaining his work over 2 years with the Cal State LA Communication Studies Prison BA Program. He details the process of bringing the spoken word poetry by his students within Lancaster State to students on Cal State campus who then brought these words new life through the process of animation. This project is centered on the LFtE platform.

Handwritten Persian text with English translation next to it. The translation reads: "The Islamic Republic has taken away and pillaged everything I had. But my heart will not be taken away by power-hungry and oppressive men. My heart will continue to beat with the screams of mothers who have lost their loved ones, men who demand freedom, youth who still have passion. They will strengthen my outcry." Dated Zamaneh, 12/26/2019, translated by Frieda Afary.

image 2: Transcription of a letter written by political prisoner Narges Mohammadi from Zanjan Prison in Iran. Mohammadi has a B.A. in applied physics, works as a journalist, women’s rights and human rights activist, and deputy director of the Center for the Defenders of Human Rights in Iran. Her story is featured in the LftE platform. She would later go on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for this work. She remains a political prisoner.

TESTIMONIES

“I sweated and I almost cried and I met my body like an old friend. Embodiment is important and I am grateful to [the LFtE team] and all of their guests... It was an honor for the Feminist Center for Creative Work to host you all and learn from you.”

— Mandy Harris Williams (@idealblackfemale)

“Bright, intimate animations relay letters from prison. These diaristic animations offer portraits of people grappling with their pasts, the weight of trauma, and the need for love.”

— Anya Ventura for independent arts publication HyperAllergic

Webpage titled 'Calls to Action' featuring text about a pen pal program by Let's Get Free, encouraging correspondence with prisoners. It includes links to pen pal programs and mentions organizations and people to follow for social justice advocacy.

Calls to action as part of the LFtE List of Collective Resources.