Celebrating the Arpilleristas

Sew and throw and give it all away

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the nature of art—what it means to be an artist, and what it means to create in times of resistance. Who gets to be called an artist, and why is it so important, especially in times like these? It felt serendipitous, then, to attend a lecture by Dr. Marisol Villela Balderrama titled “From Democracy to Dictatorship: Art in Chile Before and After 1973.” The talk provided fascinating insight into Chile’s history of resistance after the 1973 coup d'état, which overthrew the democratically elected government and led to the brutal military regime of General Augusto Pinochet, lasting into the 1980s.

In the aftermath, the military seized control of the media, using it to spread anti-socialist propaganda. Thousands of leftists were murdered, and tens of thousands more were imprisoned. Chileans were subjected to surveillance, torture, starvation, family separation, and violence.

Dr. Balderrama highlighted the role of arpillerasa—vividly colored patchwork textiles that documented the lives of the poor and oppressed during this dark period. Chilean women, using their incredible textile skills, created these pieces as a form of protest. They depicted daily struggles, atrocities, and resistance, while also serving as a lifeline. These works were sold and shipped worldwide, often to human rights organizations, helping to alleviate the financial burdens of living under a dictatorship.

The above arpillera illustrates government surveillance inside people’s homes. Do a little research because there are thousands of them and they are all gorgeous and moving. These small but powerful burlap masterpieces fabric speak volumes about the resilience of women in times of crisis, and they show how art can change perspectives and document history in a way that is both unique and vital.

And while we thankfully aren’t currently living the same turmoil as our friends in Ukraine and the Middle East, we are in our own dark period here in the U.S. If you are not petitioning, picketing, making calls to your congressperson, helping people who are less fortunate and can not speak for themselves, or boycotting, one way to protest now is to stop consuming and start creating.

I know pottery and quilting may seem trite in light of all that is going on, but for me, these are forms of meditation. They allow me to unplug, go inside myself, and create something beautiful to share. You don’t need a fancy degree to do this. You can choose to disconnect from the capitalist patriarchy and celebrate or protest human existence with your hands and creativity. You can pursue these things by shopping locally or using recycled and found materials. You can get your hands dirty and dig up your own clay. You can do it alone or with people you love. Art is the best part of the human spirit. No matter what is happening around us, it’s something we can celebrate and keep as our own—or share.

I know this all sounds super cliché, but fuck, we have to do something.

For me, I’m going to celebrate the arpilleristas and sew, throw, and give it all away.