|
Solidarity
is an important word for Marcela Paredes. It was through it
that she found how to express her artistic talents. She was
born at Huancavelica, 54 years ago and then went to Lima.
Although she had some experience in weaving, it was in the
capital city that, through a free education program, she
discovered the art of making arpilleras (cloth
Patchwork). She likes them since they allow her to
reproduce scenes from her birthplace, rural images that
include the different types of crops (corn, potatoes),
regional parties and religious traditions.
|
|
Marcela’s
artistic career hasn’t been an easy one. At first, she had
to work for another person since she lacked the capital to
work independently. Then, she started to produce by herself.
However, the merchants paid her very low prices. Her first
experience with a group wasn’t a grateful one: it was an
almost compulsory association program promoted by the
government and the ones who were responsible did not satisfy
their commitments with the group. Today, the situation is different. Marcela works with a
group of associates, neighbours of her. She is very happy with
her present situation and in an atmosphere of solidarity she
has the possibility to produce the thing that she does better:
the arpilleras.
When
Marcela talks about the future she does it with confidence and
hope. She wants to continue with her work, to expand the
market for her products. Also, she has the objective of having
a direct contact with the producer. She knows that Llacta is a
magnificent opportunity which can help her to achieve these
aims. We know that she will make good use of it.
|
