From muted places.
Objects of Resistance

Bread crumbs, shells, cattle bones, stones, toilet paper, fruit stones, shreds of clothes, these are the materials from which political prisoners made objects during the armed conflict in Peru (1980–2000). In solitary confinement, they communicated with their loved ones via homemade gifts. Tiny artifacts spoke of great themes such as hope, devotion, determination, love and perseverance. In isolation, where employment and language are prohibited, personal objects symbolize political resistance because they give human existence a tangible form.

Expression as a political act turns everyday objects such as brooches, stuffed animals, cards, figurines and jewellery into dangerous objects, because they resist a regime that denies the authors’ existence.

The exhibition “From Muted Places” focuses on objects and stories of six women who have been prisoners in Lima’s high security prison of Santa Monica for several decades and deals with critical concepts such as voice, visibility and resistance.

Doll made of recycled threads, textiles and wood. Embroidery reads: “Fighting for a peace agreement”, approx. 1999 Box for jewellery or tablets, made of cardboard and covered with velvet (and other fabric), padded with cotton wool and embroidered. On the inside of the lid it reads: “I believe in you”, 2009
Blue wrapped matchbox with three heart-shaped pendants carved out of bovine bone with glitter jewellery. Box reads: “Sara Maria, Happy Anniversary. With love C. Juan”, approx. 1998
Figure made of wire and wool. Model of a bakery on cardboard, 2012

Curation: Martha-Cecilia Dietrich for Soho in Ottakring 2020
Creators and/or owners of the objects and interview partners: Cecilia Dominguez Berrospi, Sara Vallejo, Maritza Garrido, Miriam Espino, Yohany Espinoza, Nancy Mejia, Silvia Gonzalez

Exhibited: Soho in Ottakring Art Festival, Vienna. June 2020 https://www.sohoinottakring.at/en/portfolio-item/08th-of-june/