Thursday, 28 March 2024

Textile Details

'Nuestra Vida en Chile / Our Life in Chile', 
by Elen Cerón Sandoval. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)
'Nuestra Vida en Chile / Our Life in Chile', by Elen Cerón Sandoval. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)

 

Title of Textile:Nuestra Vida en Chile / Our Life in Chile
Maker: Elen Cerón Sandoval
Country of Origin: Chile
Year Produced: 2007
Size (cm): 112cm x 69cm
Materials: Scraps of material handsewn on to acrylic backing material
Type of Textile: Arpillera
Description:

This is an example of the type of arpillera being made today to be sold as a means of earning a living. It is a traditional design with the snow-capped Chilean mountains and the sun in the background and gives us a more colourful and productive picture of village life. We see no men in this arpillera - clearly it is the women who take responsibility for everyday life and everyday family and community tasks.

In the left foreground is the market with women selling vegetables and bread. Carts are used to transport goods because few people own cars. Women are shown tending animals and birds, picking fruit, weaving, washing clothes, collecting firewood and carrying water.

The artist previously produced political arpilleras from the late 1970s. It is interesting to note how this later work uses different material - acrylic backing rather than the traditional Hessian because of commercial concerns. It is disappointing too that Elena has not been offered opportunities to share her skills and experience in workshops or with schoolchildren.

Owner: Esther Vital
Location: Spain
Original / Replica: Original
Photographer: Martin Melaugh
Provenance: Donation from Conflict Textiles curator Roberta Bacic.



Textile exhibited at: The Politics of Chilean Arpilleras, 8/02/2008 - 19/04/2008
Chilean Arpilleras , 11/09/2008 - 11/10/2008
The Politics of Chilean Arpilleras, 23/09/2008 - 23/09/2008
Arpilleras that Cry Out, 22/06/2009 - 10/07/2009
Textiles with a Story, 4/12/2009 - 4/12/2009
Arpilleras and the Poetry of Survival, 10/05/2011 - 9/06/2011



Textile Detail Image(s)