arpilleras from chile

Scraps of Life: Arpilleras by Iris Palma

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Arpilleras are handcrafted three dimensional appliqué textiles made with needle, thread and scraps of cloth. A folk art tradition with origins in the Chilean coastal town of Isla Negra, arpilleras became a form of political protest and social transformation during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) when women gathered clandestinely to create arpilleras that depicted the political and economic violence they faced under military rule. Since the transition to democracy, women have continued to make arpilleras that reflect the on-going political and economic struggles they face and speak to their visions of a justice society.

The arpilleras featured here are by Iris Palma. Iris is a member of the Casa de la Mujer de Huamachuco, a community-based organization founded in the 1980's and located on the outskirts of Santiago.

If you are interested in purchasing an arpillera, please contact Javiera Benavente at javiera@foodforthoughtbooks.com