Gabriela Rochin

One Stitch at a time 

2019

Gabriela Rochin / Marilu Reyes

The image depicts a woman knitting a welcome blanket using the border wall as yarn. A welcome blanket is a traditional gift that celebrates the arrival of a new person into the world. Thus, the piece is a celebration of immigrants that come to the US seeking a “new life”. The piece is inspired by the experiences of the immigrant women knitters of Stitching Borders (based in LA). The piece contends that strong emotional connections can withstand time and overcome obstacles such as geographic distance, walls and borders. Knitting in a group builds a sense of community and offers a counterpoint to the high speed and impersonal cyber world in which we live in. Inevitably, knitters share stories and help each other piece together and validate each others narratives.