This collective arpillera embodies many threads of connection. It emerged from a workshop in the Void Gallery, Derry/Londonderry, associated to the Mujeres Disruptivas exhibition, co-curated by Conflict Textiles and Fundació Ateneu Sant Roc, Badalona, Catalonia. Arpilleristas Manoli Garcia Gonzalez and Pilar López from the Fundació Ateneu Sant Roc group, Catalonia facilitated the workshop as part of their wider visit to Northern Ireland to share their expertise in arpilleras.
Local Derry attendees were joined by participants who journeyed from London, Dublin and Donegal. The workshop brief was to make an arpillera doll themed on the ‘Mujeres Disruptivas’ exhibition which would contribute to a collective arpillera to show solidarity with refugees who have had their lives disrupted. It started with a short walk to the Tower Museum, led by Conflict Textiles curator Roberta Bacic, to view the exhibits displayed as part of Mujeres Disruptivas / Disruptive Women: Exhibition trail
Once back in the workshop space, under the guidance of Pilar and Manoli - and with translation provided by Roberta - participants created arpillera dolls from scraps of material. There was conversation, concentration and space to reflect as the dolls themed on disruption took shape.
Conflict Textiles Fabric Artist Deborah Stockdale, who also took part in the workshop, stitched the completed dolls on a hessian backing. The collective piece will be unveiled at The Void Gallery on 20 June, coinciding with Refugee Week 2023 (19 - 25 June).
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