Images that speak volumes at Flowerfield

The needle and thread is mightier than the sword - see for yourself as the Arpilleras exhibition comes to Portstewart

IF A picture says a thousand words, then the latest exhibition at Flowerfield Arts Centre is one that deserves to be listened to carefully.

Arpilleras That Cry Out is a fascinating and unusual 'quilt' exhibition that looks at the political repression in Chile and Peru through the eyes of women - the sisters, wives, daughters and mothers of the 'disappeared' and how they stitched a message to the world.

 
'Homage to the Fallen Ones/Homenaje a los caidos', Chilean Arpillera late 1970s - anonymous, courtesy of Fatina Miralles, Spain. Picture by Colin Peck, copyright Roberta Bacic

The needle & thread became mightier than the gun, when in Chile and Peru, women used the traditional textile craft of 'arpillera' to portray the acts of repression, violence and trauma; and the consequences on the indigenous and grassroots communities and minorities targeted during these politically repressive times.

'You will be surprised and inspired to see the effect these arpilleras have had on women's textile work at this side of the world,' says Roberta Bacic, the curator of the exhibition.

The galleries at Flowerfield are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and from 12noon to 4pm on Saturdays. Admission is free - if you'd like further information, get in touch with Flowerfield Arts Centre on (028) 7083 1400.

The show is accompanied by a number of special events:

Arpillera Workshops: Hands on Workshops with Roberta Bacic; Come and make your own arpillera: Wed 1 July or Thurs 9 July, 11.30 - 2.00pm; Cost £10 - now booking

Arpillera Card Craft: Card making workshops for Children & Adults - Wed 24 June 11am -1pm for adults (£10) and & Sat 27 June 2.30-3.30pm for children (£5) - now booking

'Murals & Arpilleras' - Gallery Talk by author Bill Rolston: Bill is a lecturer on sociology and an author and photographer who has published books on Wall Murals in Northern Ireland. He has also recently worked with Chilean Muralista in Belfast. Thurs 25 June @ 7pm - admission free

Guided Tours of the Exhibition: Roberta Bacic will be giving guided tours of the exhibition on the following dates - please ring and let us know you are coming. Sat 27 June 1pm-2pm; Wed 1 July 10.30-11.30am; Thurs 9 July 10.30 -11.30am (also enquire about private tours for groups) - admission free

'Threads of Hope' Film Show: A film by Andrew Johnson about the Chilean mothers of the 'desaparecidos' or 'disappeared' - The film shows how these women transformed a traditional craft into a political force and secretly informed the world of their plight. Showings on Sat 27 June @ 11am, Tue 30 June @ 2pm, Thurs 2 July @ 2pm, and Sat 4 July @ 11am - admission free in each case.

Telephone now for further information or to book places - (028) 7083 1400.