Artist Showcases Drawings Created in Detention
The exhibition in Nob Hill raises funds for women still held at the California City processing center.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Painting
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An artist who was held in an immigration processing center for seven weeks is now using her work to support those still in custody. Iryna Gorb recently showcased her drawings, which depict life inside the California City facility, at an art show in Nob Hill.
Why it matters
Gorb hopes the exhibition brings attention to the daily realities of detention while providing financial aid for the legal and commissary needs of women still held there. Her own immigration case remains ongoing following her arrest at SFO in July 2026.
The exhibition features more than two dozen drawings created during Gorb's seven weeks of detention, which ended after she posted an $8,000 bond. The long-term impact on the legal and commissary needs of currently detained women remains to be seen.
The players
Iryna Gorb
An artist who documents her experience in immigration detention through drawings to raise funds for those still in custody.
The details
Gorb’s drawings document her experiences while detained at the California City Immigration Processing Center. Proceeds from the sales of these pieces go toward buying commissary items and phone cards for other detainees. She plans to bring the 'Don't Forget About Us' exhibition to additional locations across the Bay Area in the coming months.
Timeline
July 2026: Iryna Gorb was arrested at SFO.
September 2026: Gorb celebrated a birthday.
October 2026: The exhibition was held in Nob Hill.
Across the Bay
This exhibition follows a local trend of using personal visual narratives to highlight conditions within detention facilities. It builds on the precedent of community-focused advocacy art recently seen in Nob Hill galleries.
Residents in the Bay Area can watch for future dates as Gorb plans to tour the exhibition throughout the region in the coming months. The show serves as a direct way to learn about the experiences of detainees while supporting their commissary accounts.
The takeaway
Gorb’s work highlights the ongoing financial struggles faced by women in immigration detention. Keep an eye out for upcoming exhibition dates across the Bay Area to support her fundraising efforts for commissary and legal costs.
Further reading
For more on how local artists are engaging with community issues, visit Painting.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SFist - San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports.
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Should community members prioritize private fundraising to support individuals held in local detention facilities?
