Arpilleras

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The term “arpillera” refers to a distinctive form of textile art that originated in Chile in the late 20th century. Arpilleras are essentially hand-sewn tapestries or patchwork quilts, but they are unique in their cultural and political significance. These textile artworks were used as a means of artistic expression and political protest during a turbulent period in Chilean history.

Here are some key points about arpilleras:

  1. Origin and Background: Arpilleras first gained prominence in Chile during the 1970s, a time of political upheaval in the country. In 1973, a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. This event marked the beginning of a repressive regime that lasted for nearly two decades. During this period, many Chileans faced human rights abuses, censorship, and poverty.
  2. Artistic Expression and Protest: Arpilleras were initially created by women, often from impoverished backgrounds, as a form of artistic expression and a way to document the harsh realities of life under Pinochet’s dictatorship. These women used textiles, fabric scraps, and embroidery to craft intricate scenes and images that depicted everyday life, political events, and social struggles. The arpilleras were a way for them to bear witness to the injustices they and their communities faced.
  3. Themes and Imagery: The arpilleras featured a wide range of themes, including scenes of daily life, protests, disappearances, torture, and the search for loved ones who had been detained or “disappeared” by the regime. They often incorporated symbols like doves, representing peace and hope, and the Andean mountains, symbolizing the enduring strength of the Chilean people.
  4. International Awareness: Arpilleras gained international attention and became a powerful tool for raising awareness about the human rights abuses in Chile. These artworks were smuggled out of the country and exhibited worldwide, drawing attention to the plight of Chileans living under a repressive regime.
  5. The Role of “La Vicaría”: The Catholic Church played a significant role in supporting the creation and distribution of arpilleras. The Vicariate of Solidarity (La Vicaría de la Solidaridad), a human rights organization affiliated with the Catholic Church in Chile, supported the arpillera movement by providing materials, workshops, and safe spaces for women to create their artwork.
  6. Legacy: Arpilleras played a part in the broader movement against the Pinochet regime, and they are considered a form of testimonial art that helped preserve the historical memory of those times. While the dictatorship eventually ended in the late 1980s, the tradition of creating arpilleras continues today, both as a means of artistic expression and as a way to remember and honor those who suffered during that era.

Summary – rpilleras are hand-sewn tapestries that emerged as a powerful form of artistic expression and political protest in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship. These textiles not only documented the difficult realities of life under the regime but also served as a means of international advocacy for human rights in Chile.