Picturing Paradise is an exhibition featuring embroidered and appliquéd fabric pictures called Cuadros, created by women of Compacto Humano and Manos Ancashinas, two art cooperatives located in Pamplona Alta, a shantytown situated on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. The exhibition places emphasis on the women as artists and the way their art reflects a profound sense of resilience, spirituality, and hope despite the harsh conditions of their lives.The exhibition is the result of three commissioned projects which took place over three separate fieldwork trips to Peru. Hopes and Dreams (January 2006), consists of fifteen cuadros and depicts each woman’s personal aspirations for herself, for her family or for the world. Inspirations and Motivations (January 2007) illustrates narratives about each woman’s life and the individuals and the communities that sustain her. ¿Quien soy yo? (Who am I?), the most recent project (July 2008), reflects each woman’s self-perception and at the same time, the interconnectedness of her life with others.
The Exhibit will be on display in the DSPT Galleria from January 26 through March 20 as part of the Faith in Human Rights Symposium. See the events calendar for information about the artist’s talk and reception on February 8.
