Fatal shootings have become an everyday occurrence, and the only things up for discussion are longer sentences and the eviction of families. A young, racialised man is the one at greatest risk of being killed by gun violence. Whether he is a victim or a perpetrator, the public treats him as one and the same. Rhetoric along the lines of ”they brought it on themselves” is not unusual, as if anything they had done could justify being executed in the open street.

In the public conversation about these young men they are faceless, in a group, backlit, posing hard. The public has an image of these boys, and the boys themselves, knowingly or not, help confirm it. They are demonised into faceless creatures in a war we choose to stay out of.

But working with young people right next to us, we see a completely different side of these boys, one that is rarely shown. Giggling in barbershops. Helping their younger siblings with homework. Carrying heavy bags for an older relative. Laughing, proud, happy.

With this exhibition we want to give these boys a place. To show who they are, what they dream of and what they fear. Just as important, the boys who visit the exhibition should get to see an image of themselves that they know exists but which is never shown in public.

GRABBAR wants to create a space for an alternative story.

Shown at:
Blå Stället Konsthall, 2024
Tillsammansfestivalen, 2024
SKHLM Konsthall, 2025
Frihamnsdagarna, 2025
Malmöfestivalen, 2025
Kulturplatån / Gislaveds Konsthall, 2025

On tour 2026, with Folkets Hus och Parker
4 May, Birkagårdens Folkets Hus, Jönköping
25 May, Hofors Folkets Hus och Park, Hofors
22 June, Föreningen Navet, Bergsjön, Gothenburg
10 August, Alingsås Folkets Hus, Alingsås
7 September, Lidköpings Folkets Hus, Lidköping
5 October, Söråkers Folkets Hus, Söråker
16 November, Nyköping City Library, Nyköping