Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Conflict Textiles is home to a large collection of international textiles, exhibitions and associated events, all of which focus on elements of conflict and human rights abuses. Conflict Textiles is an ‘Associated Site’ of CAIN (Conflict Archive on the INternet) at Ulster University, Northern Ireland.

logo of Conflict Textiles siteThe collection is mainly comprised of arpilleras, quilts and wall hangings. Making visible the struggle for the disappeared remains at the very core of the collection.

“…the arpilleras were a special way to interpret my pain and at the same time communicate it to others
… a denouncement … my protest through the arpilleras has been silent, strong, desperate, full of unending tears.
I can’t count the long nights I spent making arpilleras and soaked the cloth because I was crying so much.”
(p145)
Chilean arpillerista Mireya Rivera Veliz (Sepúlveda, 1996)

Examples of textiles from the collection

  • Paz Justicia Libertad / Peace Justice Freedom

    Paz Justicia Libertad / Peace Justice Freedom

    Chilean Arpillera: Paz Justicia Libertad / Peace Justice Freedom. (Photo: Colin Peck)
  • Peace Quilt - Common Loss

    Peace Quilt - Common Loss

    Northern Ireland Textile: Peace Quilt – Common Loss. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)
  • Exilio de los Republicanos cruzando los Pirineos

    Exilio de los Republicanos cruzando los Pirineos

    Exilio de los Republicanos cruzando los Pirineos / Exile of the Republicans crossing the Pyrenees. (Photo: Roser Corbera)
  • La Cueca Sola

    La Cueca Sola

    Chilean Arpillera: La cueca sola / Dancing cueca alone. (Photo: Tomomitsu Oshima)
  • Cimarrón / Runaway slave

    Cimarrón / Runaway slave

    Colombian Arpillera: Cimarrón / Runaway slave. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)
  • Events of 1998

    Events of 1998

    Northern Ireland Quilt: Events of 1998. (Photo: Irene MacWilliam)
  • En Chile se tortura

    En Chile se tortura

    Chilean Arpillera: En Chile se tortura / Demonstration against torture. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)
  • Amandla!

    Amandla!

    ‘Amandla!’, by Elaine Barnard. (Photo: Dion Cuyler)
  • No going back

    No going back

    Northern Ireland Arpillera: No going back. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)