Maria ‘Lulu’ Varona (b. 1993, San Juan, Puerto Rico) also named ‘lulu’, lives and works between Puerto Rico and New York City. Varona learned her embroidery techniques from her grandmother growing up applying it to make works addressing contemporary conditions. She has exhibited at Bronx Art Space, New York (2017) Roberto Paradise, San Juan, Puerto Rico (2017), Flux Factory, Brooklyn, NY (2019), MACO Feria de arte, Mexico City (2020), Embajada, San Juan Puerto Rico (2020), amongst other group shows at independent galleries spaces. Also have participated in art-residencies such as International Studio and Curatorial Program in Brooklyn, NYC (2018), Flux Factory in Queens, NYC (2019), Program for Independent studies at the Contemporary Arts Museum of Puerto Rico (2020), and at Artist Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions in rural southwest Wisconsin (2021). She develops narratives through cross-stitching, creating stories that explore existential inquietudes as well as time, our relationship with the environment and with ourselves. She also enjoys playing music and performing with her friends.

LULU VARONA

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GIVEN LABOR:
WEAVING STORIES OF THE NEEDLE IN THE PUERTO RICO OF THE 20TH CENTURY

I propose to focus our gaze on the Puerto Rican identity by recreating a sewing workshop from the beginnings of the 20th century. Installing four work units, one for embroidery, one for “calado”, one for sewing and one for “mundillo” (lace). Inspired by the workshops of the needle industry, in order to create a context that leads them on a sensorial journey to another time; a sewing workshop in Puerto Rico from the first half of the century in question.

The installation will be open to private individuals interested in learning briefly about those early years and the rise of the textile industry on the Island. This will decorate the space with photos of the factories projected on the walls and sound mixes that include popular songs from the period, as well as the sound of the machine in action. For example, traditions, memories and processes -political and cultural- that would have an impact on the lifestyles, economy and labor force of this era, namely, the 1900s onwards, will be reviewed. I propose to bring the New York audience linked to this Puerto Rico of yesteryear, with the artisanal practices that gave it sustenance.

In addition to learning to embroider, the participants will have the opportunity to enter a period of time that could be linked to the lives of those who were their predecessors.

Pieces inspired by what was produced during the time will be made. Embroider portraits of worker leaders, data, phrases, dates, thoughts, images, and songs, among others. The intention is not to narrate in detail but to use this information as visual content to create embroidered pieces from small to large scale.

In short, in addition to reproducing a beautiful visual stimulus, we aspire to identify the socio-economic parallels between that time and today.

During her MicroResidency through the month of November, she will offer a talk about this work towards the end of the month, date TBD. In addition to that, she will be offering a workshop as part of ReHecho/ReMade Project, for more information about this project you can find it here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435797260337

On November 5, 2022 at 5PM she will participate in a conversation about her work and practice as part of the MicroResidency at the clemente you can RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/444189832747

IG: https://www.instagram.com/luluvarona/?hl=en

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