Sunday, 24 November 2024

Textile Details

'Debo ser humilde y sumisa? Should I be submissive and subservient?', Anonymous. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)
'Debo ser humilde y sumisa? Should I be submissive and subservient?', Anonymous. (Photo: Martin Melaugh)

 

Title of Textile:Debo ser humilde y sumisa? / Should I be submissive and subservient?
Maker: Anonymous
Country of Origin: Peru
Year Produced: 1986
Size (cm): Standard
Materials: Scraps of material hand sewn onto burlap
Type of Textile: Arpillera
Description:

This Peruvian arpillera was made in one of the well-known workshops of Lima. It was set up during the hard times of the war between government forces and Shining Path, though it still exists as a space created by and for women. It helps them to support their family income, sometimes as the only way.

The action in this arpillera takes place in an enclosed space. Women are having a workshop on women's rights and empowerment. On the back wall you can see two posters. One says: "Woman, value yourself!" The other says: "Should I be humble and submissive?" If you look at the women, they seem like they are downtrodden. They are sitting in a circle. Two are so bent that you can not see the faces. One is standing in a very awkward manner. Three are reading something that we can imagine relates to women's rights.

However, this arpillera shows women who have already made a space to deal with their issues, a preliminary step to dealing with those issues.

Owner: Private collection
Location: Germany
Original / Replica: Original
Photographer: Martin Melaugh
Provenance: N/A. (HM0724)





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