Sewing Peace: conflict, burlap and memory

The work with the Chilean and other arpilleras was another way of approaching the theme of art (in this case textile) and memory.

Through the arpilleras, the women recount their experiences in contexts of conflict and human rights violations, using common household materials such as needles, thread and pieces of cloth. Their finished pieces reveal the lived histories of disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture and experiences of a wide range of victims during conflict, exile or political imprisonment. In the midst of all this, the courage and collective action of these women in the construction of a more peaceful and democratic society takes shape.. These “stitched voices” are undoubtedly a contribution to memory and justice.

The Gernika Peace Museum organised an exhibition, a stitchers’ workshop for several months and an International Forum of stitchers.