Whispers in the Thread

by Lena Bartula

Whispers in the Thread captures the heart and soul of the garment that speaks. With modern adaptations of the Mesoamerican dress called a huipil, artist Lena Bartula weaves her threads with a social consciousness relevant in our world today. A colorful quilt of art, photographs, stories, poetry, and artistic process, Whispers in the Thread connects the strands of ancient wisdom to contemporary artmaking. Bilingual English/Spanish. 2019 edition, Full color, 147 pages, 8.5 x 8.5", Soft cover.

Paperback

First published December 4, 2019

Reviews

[Helaine Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, “Whispers in The Thread” will leap right into your heart.
I thought this book would be mainly pictures of Lena Bartula’s incredible huipils. Was I in for a surprise. The stories about women (I especially loved the ones about brilliant women who lived long ago and not so long ago) and the poems and huipils that honored them, moved me. Lena embraces tragedy while also capturing it’s essence and beauty in narrative, poetry, and art. Rather than making me sad, I found my heart opening more with every turn of the page.

[Karen Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow artist and writer, I thoroughly enjoyed Lena Bartula's "Whispers in the Thread." Not only is Lena's art beautiful and inspiring, but the cultural thread she weaves through her creations is enriching and educational. Her work plays an important role in uplifting women's voices and experiences, something much needed in our world today. This book is a treasure trove of visual and poetic inspiration. I highly recommend it!