‘Stitching Stories of Spirituality and Resistance’: A global, interreligious and community-oriented exhibit
By Leah Keith
From April 1 through April 28, the library is showcasing “Stitching Stories of Spirituality and Resistance,” an exhibit featuring textiles created by Peruvian, Afghan and Hmong women with each textile representing these women’s diverse religious experiences in Christianity, Islam and Animism.
Theology professor Dr. Rebecca Berrú Davis curated the exhibit in partnership with her course titled Maiden Mother Crone: Life Stages of Women’s Spirituality. The course touches on women’s lived experiences as they age and encounter spirituality in different stages of life. Through the Arts & Humanities Mellon Grant, Berrú Davis collaborated on the exhibit with teaching assistant Sophie Gibson ‘24 (History/Art History, Museum Studies minor) and research assistant Kiara Gomes ‘25 (International Studies/Fashion Design, Sustainability Studies minor).
From left to right: Afghan dresses, Peruvian Cuadros and a variety of Hmong textiles
‘A community-engaged learning experience’
As a theologian with a background in art history, Berrú Davis aims to highlight the connection between religion and art through this exhibit. By placing the exhibit in the library, Berrú Davis involves the greater St. Kate’s community in her artistic exploration of religion.
The location of the exhibit in the library, a central area of academic activity, allows students from various disciplines and backgrounds to interact with the artwork, not just those enrolled in the course. The accessibility of the library encourages students to engage with the exhibition at their own pace, promoting thoughtful reflection of the art and the lives of Peruvian, Afghan and Hmong women.
“I am always interested in making connections beyond the classroom,” says Berrú Davis. “This is a community-engaged learning experience, and students are making connections between not only their own personal spirituality as women, but the spirituality that women hold in common throughout the world.”
Berrú Davis intentionally selected art that reflects the community and students at St. Kate’s, especially the religious diversity present on campus. The Peruvian textiles represent Christianity, the Afghan textiles represent Islam and the Hmong textiles represent Animism.
“Here at St. Kate's, there’s a growing population of Muslim students, a significant number of Hmong students and Latinx students,” says Berrú Davis. “And so this exhibit intentionally puts them front and center.”
While choosing the materials, Berrú Davis leaned on the community to complete the exhibit. Berrú Davis drew on the personal collection of Peruvian textiles she has assembled over her years of research and collaboration with women artists in Peru. Dr. Susan Bosher’s daughter, Lyla Amini, arranged the shipment of Afghan dresses to St. Kate’s from a women’s cooperative she supports, as she is currently doing her Fulbright in Tajikistan. Additionally, Berrú Davis and Gibson visited the Hmong Cultural Center where the center graciously let them borrow a few pieces for the exhibit.
Berrú Davis working with her Peruvian textiles
Student collaboration
The importance of student collaboration within the exhibit is underscored through the work of Sophie Gibson and Kiara Gomes as the teacher and research assistants, respectively.
Interested in a career in curation, Gibson was excited to assist Berrú Davis with the course and any part of the exhibition process. From researching and choosing the specific textiles to editing the labels that go along with each piece, Berrú Davis involved Gibson throughout the whole process.
“We spent countless hours discussing the different pieces,” says Gibson. “I helped with the installation work and was able to give my opinion on literally every aspect of the process. I was very involved from the start.”
Gomes, on the other hand, played an instrumental role in mending the textile pieces, a task that uniquely combined her double major in International Studies and Fashion Design. Gomes also delved into research related to the Hmong art to write the text labels and prepared the pieces for installation and presentation.
“If anything needed mending, I wanted to honor these cultures and the women who made these garments and these textiles,” says Gomes. “Also, as a sewist, I can identify all the intricate stitches and hand work that goes into it. It’s really so incredible because it’s a blend of machine work and hand stitching.”
Coloring station with various prints
Stay connected
On April 24, a celebratory reception will be held in the Library Gallery exhibit area from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and hosted by students from the Life Stages of Women’s Spirituality course. All are welcome to attend as there will be beverages and snacks from each of the three regions and cultures represented. There will also be an opportunity to purchase art with all proceeds going to the women. For more information, contact Rebecca Berrú Davis at rmberrudavis798@stkate.edu.
