Textile Details

'Escuelita de Otavalo / Otavalo Primary School', Anonymous. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)

This contemporary arpillera is from Otavalo, a largely indigenous town in the Imbabura province of Ecuador. It illustrates, through an imaginative take on traditional indigenous Ecuadorian weaving techniques, a classroom scene. The indigenous Otavaleños are famous for weaving textiles, which are sold at the Saturday market.

This arpillera was bought in 2009 by the Chilean filmmaker Vivienne Barry, who is known for her award winning animated short film about the arpillerista movement in Chile. The largest image is that of a female with braided hair carrying a bag. She may be the teacher of the school, or perhaps the arpillerista who made the arpillera. We also see a row of children and a blackboard bearing the words: “My little house is the most beautiful in the world.” It is a simple, yet powerful image, reminding us of our human need for a home and education; needs which are often denied or inaccessible to people living in conflict zones.

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