CUENTOS COSIDOS
The climate of hate growing in the U.S. seems to have its exact opposite here in San Cristobal de las Casas. Walking the streets, whether in centro or in the neighborhoods, most people greet and are greeted with a smile, if not a buenos dias, tardes or noches. This is not because they feel the need to be friendly, it's just the tradition they're used to, much the same as in San Miguel or any other city in Mexico.
I arrived here a couple of weeks ago to install my latest huipil exhibition, CUENTOS COSIDOS. For non-Spanish speakers, it roughly translates to Stitched Tales. Most every piece in the exhibition has a tale to tell, a story to share. I share them gladly and hopefully with the people here, extending a hand of peace, tolerance and justice. I feel it's one small thing I can do as an "white-faced gringa from el norte." In reality, it's the same work I've been doing since the huipil series began in 2003. The works in CUENTOS COSIDOS span the years 2008 - 2017.
There isn't a single piece that addresses "grab 'em by the pussy" or "they're not sending their best".... just two of the infamous phrases that represent the new Hater in Chief. And I say the rather than our, because he does not represent me. Actually, we all know that it isn't only this new regime at fault. The U.S. has consistently created, fed and supported dictators privately, while condemning them publicly. But until now, never within our own country.
So, this self-proclaimed art ambassador, (me) spreader of truth and beauty, with magic sprinkles in my pocket and a smile on my face, is here to gather tales, stitch them again and again, weave them together with the threads of color, joy and tolerance and love.
I arrived here a couple of weeks ago to install my latest huipil exhibition, CUENTOS COSIDOS. For non-Spanish speakers, it roughly translates to Stitched Tales. Most every piece in the exhibition has a tale to tell, a story to share. I share them gladly and hopefully with the people here, extending a hand of peace, tolerance and justice. I feel it's one small thing I can do as an "white-faced gringa from el norte." In reality, it's the same work I've been doing since the huipil series began in 2003. The works in CUENTOS COSIDOS span the years 2008 - 2017.
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| El Tendedero, the clothesline works from 2009, still here to represent women whose voices and/or lives were negated. |
There isn't a single piece that addresses "grab 'em by the pussy" or "they're not sending their best".... just two of the infamous phrases that represent the new Hater in Chief. And I say the rather than our, because he does not represent me. Actually, we all know that it isn't only this new regime at fault. The U.S. has consistently created, fed and supported dictators privately, while condemning them publicly. But until now, never within our own country.
So, this self-proclaimed art ambassador, (me) spreader of truth and beauty, with magic sprinkles in my pocket and a smile on my face, is here to gather tales, stitch them again and again, weave them together with the threads of color, joy and tolerance and love.
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| Installation detail of Detrás de la Etiqueta |
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| Detrás de la Etiqueta / Behind the Label, 2013 |
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