"Whispers in the Thread" recounts and celebrates my 15-year series of contemporary huipiles. It has been an inspired, deep dive into the mystery and seduction of a garment that is at once text and textile. Borrowing from the idea of 'clothing as messenger' transformed me into a fabric and installation artist, and along the way, an advocate for women's rights. Come along with me on this journey that began with the woven wonders of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Guatemala, changing my life, my art and my heart.

"Whispers," published in December 2019, includes full-color, photographs, stories, legends, poetry, and artistic process. A 30-40 minute visual presentation will connect the strands of ancient wisdom to contemporary artmaking. While my book is bilingual English/Spanish, this presentation will be given in my first language, English. There will be time for questions and answers, one of the best ways to connect artist with audience.

"The intricacy and beauty of Bartula’s work is unique and belongs to the canon of what a garment – especially a woman’s garment - can mean."

- Jennifer Clement, President of PEN International

BRIEF BIO:

Lena Bartula is an artist, writer, curator, gallerist, and transplant from the U.S. Her textile and mixed media work is rooted in social consciousness, environmental awareness and 'women's work.' Early in her career, she used text and image to convey messages in oil, acrylic, printmaking, and collage, never imagining she would travel outside this known territory. In the mid-90's, while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico and traveling in Mexico, she fell in love with the indigenous blouse called a “huipil,” and in 2003, began stitching her stories on paper and cloth. Now her studio practice revolves around reclaimed fabrics and found objects, transforming them into imaginary garments inspired by the traditional clothing of diverse cultures.

Her art has been shown in museums and galleries, in more than 80 exhibitions, and is found in collections in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Holland, Mexico and U.K. She moved to Mexico in 2004, and since 2008 has resided in San MIguel de Allende, Guanajuato. In 2018, Bartula opened La Huipilista Artspace, a place where artists, workshops, salons, readings and every kind of artful event can take place. She believes in All Art, All the Time, and thus, she lives, works and exhibits in her own artspace, where she is the artist in (her own) residence. This year, 2022, she is creating "A Room of Her Own", a small apartment / writers' retreat for single women, and hoping to resume and reschedule the projects that were stalled during the pandemic.

This presentation will take place on the 2nd floor terrace of the Library. Seating in the salon will be made available for those unable to access the terrace. The presentation will be video stream for those in the salon. Please notify the office at least a week in advance for salon seating. Face Masks must be worn at all times. Attendees will be requested to maintain social distancing.

Tickets are $100 for Members and $130 for Non-Members of OLL