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'From Displacement to Empowerment', by Workshop participants, 'Stitching our Stories: Displacement, Healing, New Possibilities', Nov. 2023. (Photo: Deborah Stockdale)
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| Description: | This arpillera is the culmination of many years of collaboration between Conflict Textiles and Women’s Weavers of Mampuján in Colombia. It is the outcome of a workshop themed on displacement, facilitated by Conflict Textiles, with participants drawn from Northern Ireland and Colombia. This initiative of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building in partnership with the Colombian Embassy in the UK, Ulster University and Conflict Textiles, coincided with the Colombian Ambassador to the UK, HE Roy Barreras' visit to Belfast.
The workshop featured inputs from Inclusive Global Histories (NMNI), Conflict Textiles and The Women Weavers of Mampuján; all of which gave participants an understanding of the breadth, depth and power of arpilleras and textile language.
In the 'hands on' session participants were invited to make an arpillera doll themed on displacement. This gave space to reflect on the morning inputs and connect with displaced people in a very tangible way. Basic materials provided by Conflict Textiles were added to by the vast selection of fabric scraps brought by participants. After a short input on making an arpillera doll, participants became engrossed in the process of cutting, stitching, shaping and dressing their dolls, sometimes working in silence, more often sharing stories. Juana and Juliana from Colombia also demonstrated their arpillera making techniques. The fusion of both methodologies is evident in this arpillera. We see a typical, colourful Colombian landscape populated with dolls made by Juana and Juliana, joined by dolls from previous Colombian workshops.
The second arpillera incorporated a Northern Ireland background landscape complete with arpillera dolls made by the workshop participants living in Northern Ireland. This textile has already journeyed back to Colombia for display in the Museo de Arte y Memoria de Mampujan.
When asked to describe their sense of the workshop, participants gave the following responses: "Connection, sharing, tapestry, emotional, powerful, unity, belonging, international, fraternity, co-operation, learning and knowledge". (See Workshop photo gallery).
Following the workshop, Conflict Textiles fabric artist, Deborah Stockdale stitched the arpillera to the hessian backing and mounted it ready for exhibiting. It will be displayed for the first time at an exhibition in Donegal, Republic of Ireland, June 2024 From Displacement to Empowerment, marking UN World Refugee Day 2024, (20 June) & UK Refugee week 2024 (17 - 23 June)
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