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

Arpilleras from Peru

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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 Harvest Scene Arpillera The villagers here are all busy at work harvesting the potato and pumpkin crops while their neighbors tend the animals. 10"T x 10"W. $36.00 Sold	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	Skeleton Feast Arpillera Here's a delightful scene of skeletons dressed in their best finery, enjoying a feast in the orchard by the light of the moon. 19" square. $68.00
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	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	Noah's Ark Arpillera Noah is watching from the front of the ark as the animals depart two by two under the light of a beautiful rainbow. 10" square. $36.00
Sheep Arpillera Enclosed in this charming sheep shaped arpillera is an entire African Savannah of delightful animals. We particularly like the lions and giraffes.The artist was so clever in her choice of fabrics to represent each of the animals! 22" (at the widest part) x 17" (from tip of her ears to her toes). $84.00	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	Circus Arpillera Children all over the world love the circus with the prancing horses, the clowns and acrobats and all the other exciting performers! 18"T x 18"W . $76.00 Sold
Jungle Scene Arpillera The jungle is filled with all manner of wonderful creatures and the trees are filled with luscious fruits. 10" square. $36.00 Sold	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	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
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 Temporarily Out of Stock	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	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 Sold
Mountain Village Festival Arpillera The villagers all came in their best traditional costumes to dance and hear the music. Even the animals, birds and sun are smiling! 18"T x 18"W. $76.00 Sold	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	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 Sold
Pueblo del Flores Arpillera The villages are alive with carpets of wildflowers in the Springtime! There is so much detail in this lovely arpillera—it’s full of joy! 18"T x 20"W. $76.00	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	Tending the Flocks Arpillera The villagers in this mountain scene are all out tending their flocks. Note the wonderful condor, a sacred bird in Peru, in the right hand sky. 10"T x 10"W. $36.00
Country Market Arpillera The fruits and veggies at this country market are colorful and lush looking. 10" square. $36.00 Sold	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	Children's Zoo Arpillera Everyone enjoys an afternoon visit to the zoo! 18"T x 19"W. $76.00 Temporarily Out of Stock
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 Temporarily Out of Stock	click here or the image to enlarge
click here or the image to enlarge	Zoo Arpillera The children are enjoying an afternoon at the zoo in this charming, small arpillera. 10" square. $36.00
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	click here or the image to enlarge

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