Around the world, women and communities have used cloth, thread and appliqué to bear witness when speaking out was difficult or dangerous. Chilean arpilleras, three-dimensional textiles made by women in Latin America as testimony during periods of political violence, sit at the heart of the Conflict Textiles collection, alongside Irish quilts and textiles from many other places.

During the workshop you will look closely at selected works from the collection and talk about what they say without words. Jimena will then show you simple stitching and appliqué techniques, and you will make a small textile panel of your own, telling a personal or shared story. The afternoon ends with everyone’s panels laid out together.

No sewing experience is needed, and all materials are provided. Places are limited, so please book early.

About Conflict Textiles
Conflict Textiles is an internationally recognised collection of textile art exploring conflict, human rights, memory and resistance. It began in 2008 with The Art of Survival: International and Irish Quilts, an exhibition across nine venues in Derry~Londonderry curated by Roberta Bacic. Today the collection holds 440 fully documented textiles, cared for at CAIN, Ulster University. Works have been shown worldwide, including at Tate Modern, London.

Workshop details
When: Wednesday 18 November 2026, 1–4pm
Where: D Contemporary, 1 Birdcage Walk, London
Bookings: irene@dcontemporary.com

Image: Cassettes of exile / Cassettes del exilio, by Jimena Pardo (Photo: Martin Melaugh)