The Ḥafathah Collective
مجموعة الحفظة
Our name, the Ḥafathah Collective, is drawn from the term majmūʿat al-ḥafathah or the Bookkeepers, which appears in Syrian prison literature. The Bookkeepers were a group in Tadmur prison that, along with memorizing the Quran and hadith, memorized the registry of prisoners including those who were killed or executed. This was practiced in the hope that if one of them were released they could share that information with the victims’ family members. In Arabic, ḥafathah means to preserve or safeguard just as our collective aims to safeguard the works of artists across the Middle East, North Africa, and diaspora and document their experiences, especially as they relate to carceral systems.
Our Exhibits
"A PRISON, A PRISONER, AND A PRISON GUARD"
"يا سجن، يا مسجون، يا سجان"
“A Prison, a Prisoner, and a Prison Guard” is a multimedia exploration of the impact of prisons on countries and communities across the MENA region through the lens of “prison art.” The exhibition delves into the dynamic interplay between incarceration and creative expression to make sense of carceral systems. By presenting prison artifacts and art from various countries in the MENA region including Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen this exhibit unfolds as a “journey” into the prison system and demonstrates the ways in which art can be a tool of expression and reconciliation for survivors, detainees’ families, and society at large. It promotes drawing parallels between the prison experience in the region and worldwide, highlights the intentionality of carceral systems, and expands the conversation to include prison impacted communities. Viewers are invited to navigate the cross-generational, human experiences of imprisonment often obscured behind prison walls and within individuals.
Visit our Virtual Exhibit
Community Reflections
“Amazing pieces, very moving, and a grave reminder of our reality.”
“What an eye opening collection and a great conversation of art in prison beyond expression but advocacy as well.”
"Thank you for showing us this art and providing us a place that feels welcoming to discuss our experiences and thoughts together.”
Listen to our playlist!
Our Partners
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