Arpilleras for Human Rights

The arpilleras are textile pieces representing landscapes, traditions, customs and events of special significance. The representation technique used, called “arpillera”, consists of elaborating figures with pieces of fabrics of different textures – such as cotton, corduroy and gauze – sewn and embroidered with wool and coloured threads on larger fabric support. Conflict Textiles houses an extensive collection of textiles that make demands, denounce and protest different conflicts and human rights abuses, making visible the disappearances that remain at the centre of the collection. Burlap is a special way of interpreting pain and, at the same time, communicating it to others. 

With more than 10 years of history, the sackcloth group of the Fundació Ateneu Sant Roc of Badalona uses this technique to question attitudes, denounce the violation of fundamental rights, express their wishes for a more cohesive society and promote a culture of peace, as can be seen in the pieces on display. The group works in different fields and has maintained friendship and collaboration with Roberta Bacic, curator and founder of Conflict Textiles.