Arpilleras
Women’s resistance to Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship through textile art.
Welcome to the
Arpilleras Resource Library
Here, you will find curated information for everything presented in my Arpilleras presentation, and more. Learn more about the people, places, and events mentioned in more depth and on your own. Opportunities for further exploration are here via links to videos, articles, and other resources.
This page will resonate most with you if you have attended my lecture and/or workshop. Click here to book me for your group or guild, or to find out when I present virtually. Visit this page regularly for updates, including additional resources for further study, workshop and lecture events given by me, interviews, and more.
Book Me to Present to Your
Guild or Group
I provide a fascinating presentation telling the history of how Chilean women “birthed” arpilleras as a response to their grief and defiance to the Pinochet dictatorship of the 1970-80s. I prefer at least 60 minutes to tell the captivating story, but I can extend it for much more time if provided.
During the lecture you can expect:
- A variety of images of arpilleras made during this time period, and what themes they represent.
- Stories of individuals who lived through it, either from my own interviews, or testimonies I have read.
- Details about how they are made.
- Personal reflections of my time in Chile in relation to what I know about arpilleras.
- Inspiration for how to use sewing to reflect your own social justice interests.
Here Karen Brown, of Just Get It Done Quilts, interviews Jaqueline Adams. Jaqueline did extensive research on arpilleras while working on her PhD. Her books are listed in the Recommended Reading section below.
Enjoy watching this interview from the perspective of a quilter.
Museum Collections
Linked below are museums I know of with arpillera collections. If I am missing any, please contact me. I would like to list any and all museums around the world featuring arpilleras.
The William Benton Museum of art
University of Connecticut
UCONN’s museum of art has an impressive collection of 71 arpilleras. Click on the university link above for their summary of arpilleras and to view each on in their collection.
Museum of Latin American Art
Arte, Mujer y Memoria: Arpilleras from Chile
Settled in Long Beach, California is the MOLAA. Click on the link above to see their well-categorized journey through the history and purpose of arpilleras during Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Reina Sofia Museum
AD Magazine article about the collection
This article about the 5 arpilleras in the museum’s collection has beautiful up-close photos. Here is the link to the museum’s collection of five.
Museum of Memory and Human Rights
ARPILLERA COLLECTION
The coveted link to the entire collection of arpilleras at the museum in Santiago, Chile!!
Museum of Latin American Art
Arte, Mujer y Memoria: Arpilleras from Chile
Settled in Long Beach, California is the MOLAA. Click on the link above to see their well-categorized journey through the history and purpose of arpilleras during Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Museums and the Web Conference
Latin American Freedom of Expression Exhibit
This article about a past exhibit of arpilleras in the MW17 conference held in Cleveland, Ohio in 2017.
Patterns & Kits
Currently, I offer the Country Living pattern (pictured left) with the option of a kit. Kits have unique fabrics and threads, ensuring your project is unlike any other.
I’m developing new arpilleras patterns. Get on my email list to learn about them as soon as they come available.
Victor Jara
historyisaweapon.com
Chilean folk singer, detained, tortured, and executed in the national stadium days after the coup. His last days as told by his widow, Joan Jara. Includes his last poem written in detention.
Violeta Parra
dailyartmagazine.com/violeta-parra/
Chilean singer, artist considered the “Mother of Latin American Folk.” A wonderful article featuring her arpilleras. She is credited as being the first Latin American artist featured in the Louvre in the 60’s.
Salvador Allende’s Farewell Speech
A YouTube Video with English Subtitles
Spoken on radio waves as the capitol building was being attacked the morning of the coup, just before his death by suicide before the military could get to him.
No!
Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime
Based on the true story of the advertising campaign which helped vote Pinochet out of office. (Spanish with English subtitles.)
Sting
A YouTube Video
They Dance Alone (La Cueca Sola)
This song was written and performed at the Human Rights Now! Amnesty International 1988 tour.
Michelle Bachelet
Her Presidential Inaugural Speech
Chile’s first female president elected in 2006. She and her mother are torture and exile survivors. Her father was tortured and died in the early months of the dictatorship.
Recommended Reading
I have used all of these books in my research. I can recommend all of them for deeper exploration of the Chilean dictatorshiop and/or arpilleras and their makers’ influence on the Chilean resistance.
*Some links are affiliate. I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s how I fund my website.
Surviving Dictatorship
Jaqueline Adams
Textbook. This is a dense, academic read if you’re up to it!
Santiago's Children
Steve Reifenberg & Paul Farmer
Memoir weaving the story of the orphanage with the politics of the time.
Art Against Dictatorship
Jaqueline Adams
Another dense read, but packed full of her interviews with women of different arpilleras groups.
Violeta
Isabel Allende
Beautiful work of fiction weaving politics with a love story and brief mention of arpilleras.
Tapestries of Hope Threads of Love
Marjorie Agosin
For students and general readers.
Stitching Resistance: Women, Creativity, & Fiber Arts
Marjorie Agosín
Features women worldwide using fiber arts as social justice.
Stitching Truth
Dan Eshet
Lighter read with questions for discussion and reflection.
Flight from Chile
Thomas Wright & Rody Oñate
Stories as told by exiled Chileans.
Trip to Chile
In the next few years, I plan to offer a trip to Chile for quilters interested in experiencing arpilleras for themselves. This trip would include guided tours of the amazing Human Rights Museum in Santiago, Pablo Neruda’s impressive homes in Santiago and Isla Negra, and the somber National Stadium. Crafting our own arpillera under the guidance of Chilean women who are continuing the craft would be a part of this adventure. Also included would be shopping in local markets, a vineyard visit, exposure to indigenous cultures, exploring nature, and more fun.
I invite you to join the group of quilters interested in this trip by providing your email address through the link below. This will allow me to periodically update you on plans, as well as gather input from you as I prepare this amazing trip.