Artist to Exhibit Textile Pictures by Peruvian Women

Princeton, NJ, October 16, 2007–“Picturing Paradise: Textiles from the Peruvian Women of the Pamplona Alta as Visions of Hope” will be on exhibit Monday, October 29 through Friday, December 7 at Princeton Theological Seminary’s Erdman Art Gallery. An opening reception will take place on Thursday, November 1 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m, during which curator Rebecca Berru Davis will give a presentation about the exhibit at 5:00 p.m.

“Picturing Paradise” features textiles created by women of the Compacto Humano, a cooperative located in Pamplona Alta, a shantytown on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. The exhibit places emphasis on the women as artists and the way that their art reflects resilience, faith, and hope in the midst of poverty. It acknowledges the women’s unique insights and voices manifested in the colorful hand-sewn textiles.

The embroidered textile work is the result of two separate commissioned projects conducted over the past two years. Hopes and Dreams (January 2006) consist of fifteen cuadros reflecting each woman’s personal aspiration for herself, her family, or for the world. Inspirations and Motivations (January 2007) depict narratives illustrating the individuals or the communities they draw on for support and the experiences or events that sustain them.

The Erdman Art Gallery is in its seventh year of presenting local and national artists for the benefit of the community. The gallery is located in the Erdman Center, 20 Library Place, at the Center of Continuing Education at Princeton Theological Seminary. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 2:30 to 9:00 p.m. The exhibit and opening reception are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Grace Royal at 609.497.7995, or email coned@ptsem.edu.