Arpilleras, appliqued textile pictures bursting with color and pattern tell the stories of the women in the shantytowns of Peru

Arpilleras

Arpilleras from Peru

.country market arpillera
Arpilleras or cuadros, exquisitely detailed hand-sewn three dimensional textile pictures, illustrate the stories of the lives of the women of the shantytowns (pueblo jovenes) of Lima, Peru and provide essential income for their families.

"Arpilleras originated in Chile, where women political prisoners who were held during the Pinochet regime used them to camouflage notes sent to helpers outside. Even the most suspicious guards did not think to check the appliquéd pictures for messages, since sewing was seen as inconsequential 'women's work'.

Today, arpilleras are created in a number of cooperatives located in the dusty shantytowns of poor and displaced families that ring the capital city of Lima." Pueblos are collections of the poorest people with unemployment near 80% and few sources of income. "Often the homes are shacks composed of salvaged parts: old doors, panels of straw matting, crating and corrugated metal. Water must be trucked in to the shantytowns because there are no water or sewage systems. Often, the small income from the sale of arpilleras provides the only source of income for families displaced from their traditional lives in the mountains. For others, this income allows the family to educate their children, to provide a little better living standard. For all, it engenders a sense of community among women who are often from very different customs and cultures; it is also a way to express their creativity.

The arpilleras tell the stories of life: stories of planting and harvesting potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, grapes, corn; stories of spinning and weaving wool; stories of country life, of tending llamas, sheep and goats; stories of weddings and fiestas.

According to arpillera maker Rita Serapion, "We all have a little art in our minds and in our hands; we will leave something as a legacy for society. It will stay behind us, in another place, in another time."

From "In Her Hands" by Paola Gianturco and Toby Tuttle, Penguin Press 2000.

 

Mountain Village Arpillera Vertical

An idyllic mountain village scene with people harvesting the veggie plots, tending the animals, picking fruit in a beautiful Andean setting. Many very fine details make this larger than usual arpillera a real find.

    34"T x 20 "W. $245.00

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Skeletons in the Park Arpillera
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Skeletons in the Park Arpillera

Here's a delightful scene of skeletons frolicking in the park. The volleyball game looks like great fun.

18"T x 19.5"W. $76.00

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Country Village Arpillera

This charming village scene shows farmers tending their fields and shepherds watching over their grazing flocks of cows, llamas and donkeys surrounded by the high peaks of the Andes.

18"T x 19.5"W. $76.00

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Savannah Arpillera
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Savannah Arpillera

All the animals of the African savannah share the watering place at sunset!

18"T x 20"W . $76.00

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Sheep Arpillera

Enclosed in this charming sheep shaped arpillera are many of the village activities from working in the vegetable patch to watching over the flocks. We love the feathers on the chickens in the yard!

21" (at the widest part) x 16" (from tip of her ears to her toes). $84.00

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Inca Dance Festival Arpillera
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Inca Dance Festival Arpillera

The "Baile Las Pallas" is held every year at harvest time. The dancers are dressed as Inca princesses and the women in the lower corner are preparing offerings from the newly harvested fields.

18"T x 20"W . $76.00

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Jungle Canopy Arpillera

The jungle is filled with all manner of wonderful creatures, especially in the treetop canopy. Parrots, toucans, and monkeys are in the trees while crocodiles, large cats and other marvels are found on the ground.

    18"T x 20"W . $76.00

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Llama Arpillera

The story of weaving is cleverly captured within the shape of the llama. The wool comes from the herds of grazing llamas in this pastoral scene with a weaver and her loom.

    25"T x 16"W . $84.00

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Ark Arpillera

The fabrics that this artisan chose for the animals in this Noah's Ark tableau are just perfect.

18"T x 19.5"W. $76.00

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Rainforest Arpillera

The birds, monkeys and other creatures in this rainforest scene are wonderful but just look at the beautiful variety of leaves and vegetation!

10"T x 10"W. $36.00

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Fiesta Arpillera

The guests have arrived in their party clothes and the musicians are ready to play.

10"T x 10"W. $36.00

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Mountain Shepherds Arpillera

Shepherds live in high mountaintop villages where they tend an amazing variety of indigenous animals: llamas, alpacas and vicunas. The condor flying above is the national bird and considered an auspicious sign!

18"T x 20"W . $76.00

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Country Market Arpillera Vertical

The country markets are a riot of color where the locals come to buy veggies, clothing and wool for weaving.

18"T x 10"W. $54.00

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Noah's Ark Arpillera Vertical

The Noah's Ark arpilleras are some of the most charming and really showcase the artisans use of different fabrics to evoke the fur of the animals. Notice the spots on the giraffes and the crocodiles!

17"T x 9"W. $54.00

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Farmers Market Arpillera

The fruits and veggies at this country market are colorful and lush looking.

10"T x 10"W. $36.00

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Zoo Arpillera

Everyone enjoys an afternoon visit to the zoo!

    18"T x 19"W. $76.00

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Wedding Arpillera

The entire cast is here in this charming matrimonio scene: the bride and groom, attendants, village people  with get away car waiting in the wings.

10" square. $36.00

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Noah's Ark Arpillera

Noah and his wife are watching as the animals leave the ark two by two under the light of a beautiful rainbow.

    10" square. $36.00

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Country Wedding Arpillera

The guests have arrived with their gifts, the musicians are ready to play and the table is set for a fiesta as the wedding couple exit the church.

19"T x 17.5"W. $76.00

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