BORDADOS

An Exhibition of Embroidered Textiles from Mexico

Curated by Rebecca Devaney

11th – 29th July 2016 

Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and from 3pm to 6pm

Mexican Embassy, 19 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

“The women spoke of how the embroideries are embedded with their experiences, emotions, and personalities as expressed through the colours, motifs and patterns that they chose.”

– Rebecca Devaney

Rebecca Devaney will showcase the rich textile tradition and heritage of Mexico in an exhibition featuring a collection of 18 superb embroideries which are accompanied by fascinating narratives gathered from artisans during her travels in the vast and beautiful country of Mexico.

She spent the summer of 2015 researching the cultural significance, craft and aesthetic of embroidered textiles and met with indigenous craftspeople, artists, anthropologists, and museum curators. The traditional craft is passed down through generations of women to daughters as young as 5 or 6 and the income it generates often affords them financial independence and autonomy.

Rebecca stayed in refurbished convents, converted colonial mansions and charming posadas, wandered through breath-taking churches, dazzling markets and tranquil plazas, feasted on Tacos al Pastor, Huevos Rancheros and Chiliaquiles and drank rich hot chocolate, refreshing licuados and delicious Horchata. She travelled more than 3,600 kilometres by bus, taxi, collectivo, rickshaw and metro.

She explains, “My journey began when I found myself standing at the frantic platform in Xalapa bus station, a bundle of nerves and wondering what I had gotten myself involved in! I had just graduated from an MFA in Textile Art and Artefact from NCAD and was honoured to receive the Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust Award which funded the project. I settled into the surprisingly comfortable seat and eventually became excited for the trip to come.”

Throughout her journey she was amazed by the heartfelt generosity, hospitality and warmth that the people of Mexico are famous for. Strangers invited her into their houses, studios and offices and gave of their time without hesitation. As well as beautiful embroideries, she was shown precious family heirlooms, clippings of treasured newspaper articles and cherished certificates and prizes. She received impromptu lectures, tours and lessons from people that were brimming with pride about their ancient and magnificent culture. And she was also given innumerable glasses of water for which she is eternally grateful!