Dear TAC community ,
Alejandra here,
I'm writing to share my excitement about an upcoming exhibition that holds a special place in my heart Puntadas contra el olvido/ Stitches Against Oblivion of Las Tejedoras de Mampuján. The exhibition will open Oct 22th at Blue Gallery (222 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017) and will only be up through Oct 23rd. A talk with Las Tejedoras for Spanish speakers will be held at Blue Gallery (222 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017) on October 23rd at 6pm, you can rsvp by emailing [email protected].
In this exhibition, Las Tejedoras de Mampuján present a powerful collection of quilts made by the "tejiendo sueños y sabores de paz" women's group, part of the asociación para la vida digna y solidaria (asvidas), in Mampuján, Colombia.
My journey with Las Tejedoras de Mampuján began during my time at Los Andes University, where I participated in the "Semillero de tejidos" initiative. This project brought together remarkable women from diverse backgrounds, each with their own story of resilience and advocacy. Among them was Elizabeth Trochez, a Misaak indigenous leader whose wisdom and strength left a lasting impression on me. Also, Las Madres de Soacha, another group of courageous women seeking truth, justice, and reparation of what happened in 2008 with their sons. Their children were lured from Soacha and Bogotá to Ocaña, Norte de Santander, with false promises of work, never to return. The Colombian government initially presented these young men as guerrilla members who had died in combat. However, it was later revealed that these were extrajudicial executions carried out by members of the public forces, a massacre that became known as the "false positives" scandal.
The struggles of Las Madres de Soacha, like those of Las Tejedoras de Mampuján, and the continued fight of the indigenous communities underscore the profound impact of conflict on Colombian communities and the incredible resilience of those affected. Their ongoing quest for truth, justice, and reparation resonates deeply with the themes explored in the tapestries of Las Tejedoras de Mampuján. These women have transformed their pain into beautiful, meaningful tapestries that not only tell their stories but also contribute to the collective memory of Colombia's complex history.
These events are not just about art; these are powerful testaments to resilience, healing, and the transformative power of creativity. Las Tejedoras de Mampuján, have woven their pain, history, and hopes into vibrant tapestries that tell a story of survival and reconciliation. They have also inspired different communities outside Colombia and have reinforced my commitment to creating spaces where these important stories can be shared and honored in spaces typically reserved for privileged voices.
As a Colombian myself, I feel a profound responsibility to amplify these voices and create spaces where their art and experiences can be shared with the world. These events are about honoring resilience, fostering understanding, and contributing to the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation in my beautiful country. I am extremely proud to be Colombian, the berraquera (tenacity) that we Colombians have, how we use colors and joy as a way of resistance.
I hope you'll join me in supporting this incredible group of women and experiencing the profound impact of their work firsthand. If you can't make the exhibition, Las Tejedoras will be visiting again in December for TAC’s Give Back Market, you can meet the collective and show support by purchasing unique pieces that tell their story at Textile Arts Center.
Un abrazo,
Alejandra Mejía Torres @ajelandrameja
Textile Arts Center Marketing Coordinator
