When I work about migration on my pieces, I try to print what we have lived here as women. The suffering that we had when our husbands left to the US. A little bit of everything.

Las Hormigas Bordadoras

Working together since 2010, Las Hormigas Bordadoras is a women’s sewing collective that has responded to the dynamics of family separation and economic hardship with the production of handmade salable cloth objects that tell personal stories of migration and farming.

Hierarchical social relations related to gender shape the migration experiences of migrants. Economic and political circumstances of countries have a large effect on the decisions made about migration. Policies and practices that limit women’s access to  political participation, work force or education impact their experience with migration. In addition, gender norms and relations within families impact women’s participation in migration. In many instances this means that women are left behind in the country of origin and must compensate in some way for the lost income due to out-migration. [i] This has certainly been the case in Oaxaca, where 78 percent of the migrants are men. [ii]

Gender norms in Oaxaca have a large impact on migration experiences. For men, migration is seen as an extension of household responsibilities, and migration is an important way to secure well-being for ones family. Whereas for women, migration is a threat to their gender role, which is traditionally taking care of the home and children. San Francisco de Tanivet is a small mestizo community in Oaxaca, populated by people who have come from all parts of Mexico to work in the fields. Now in Tanivet there are very limited ways to earn money, as a result many residents are leaving to find economic opportunity; largely through migration to the United States, or participation in the tourist industry in other areas. [iii]

In San Francisco de Tanivet the women depict their stories of migration in a unique way. In the women’s collective Las Hormigas Borradoras, the women of Tanivet make patchwork pieces to tell the stories. The collective was started by curator Marietta Bernstorff and seeks to give the women of Tanivet valuable skills not only for artistry and self-expression, but also for sustenance. [iv] The Hormigas are able to sell their work to help support themselves and their families. Creating jobs for women in this community that has been decimated by out-migration due to lack of economic opportunity is essential. Not only to give women means and autonomy, but to slow out-migration. [v]

Contributors: Jasmine Gloria, Lucia Paternostro, Gabriella Zimbalist

// Photos and video appear courtesy of the artists and Las Hormigas Bordadoras de Tanivet unless otherwise noted.

New Codex: Oaxaca - Immigration and Cultural Memory

// Angel Jara Taboada. New Codex: Oaxaca - Immigration and Cultural Memory, 2015. Digital video, 35 min.

The Hormigas experience with migration is the inspiration for a lot of their work. One of the Hormigas, Rebca Martinez Santos created a piece of two people on opposite sides of a fence, reflecting her experience being separated from her brother, uncle and cousin whom all migrated to the United States. Juana Martinez Olivera, another Hormiga, has worked inspired by her experience being separated from her son, who at the age of 14 survived a dangerous journey across the border to the United States. [i] In the documentary film made about the Hormigas, “New Codex: Oaxaca - Immigration and Cultural Memory,” one women described how she addresses migration in her work: “When I work about migration on my pieces, I try to print what we have lived here as women. The suffering that we had when our husbands left to the US. A little bit of everything; how our husbands cross, how we feel, how our children feel, all our family in general. When we see how they leave, my husband tells me how he migrated, how he did things, and I try to replicate that.” Another Hormigas said: “We print what we felt when they (her children) left (...) We’re here, we’re working, and we’re always thinking about them.” [ii]

 US & Mexico Border

This piece is done by Rebaca Martinez Santos, a member of the quilting collective Las Hormigas Bordadoras. Rebecca is inspired by her family's experiences with migration. A common location in Las Hormigas’ work is the border area. Photo by Ruth Conniff for Progressive.org, “Transforming the Pain of Migration into Art,” 2018, April 1. Assessed May 1, 2020.

Text reads, “Anque nos ponsan ese muro mas alto y cerquen toda la frontera no podran detener a los que querenos lograr el Sueño Americano / Even if they build the highest wall and fence, the border will not stop those we love from achieving the American Dream.” Image Source: Blog posting “A Collection of Migration Stories by the Women of Tanivet”, April 7, 2019. Hormigas Bordadoras de Tanivet Blogspot, assessed May 1, 2020. https://hormigasbordadorastanivet.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-collection-of- migration-stories-by.html

Translated to “When are you coming back from the United States,” this piece depicts the hardship of those who are separated from their family. This is the experience of many of the Hormigas whose family have been forced to migrate for economic opportunity. Image Source: Blog posting “A Collection of Migration Stories by the Women of Tanivet”, April 7, 2019. Hormigas Bordadoras de Tanivet Blogspot, assessed May 1, 2020. https://hormigasbordadorastanivet.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-collection-of- migration-stories-by.html

Translated to “I am almost in the United States,” this piece depicts the dangerous journey that many people, including the family of many of the Hormigas, have gone through. Source: Blog posting “A Collection of Migration Stories by the Women of Tanivet”, April 7, 2019. Hormigas Bordadoras de Tanivet Blogspot, assessed May 1, 2020. https://hormigasbordadorastanivet.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-collection-of- migration-stories-by.html

Besides producing a source of income for the women, with each cuadro (or quilted panel) that is made there is a restored sense of community. Having a loved one embark on a dangerous journey north all the while trying to get by had proved to overload the women on Tanviet with feelings of depression and stress. Embroidering squares thus becomes an outlet for many women to express their emotions or reflect on their lives. In doing so, they connect with others both locally and abroad which has resulted in a strengthened community that has been tested by the stress of emigration all the while creating new ones beyond the borders of Tanivet.

Every piece is unique to the artist, but also important in the process is collaboration. The project started with artists donating their time to teach the women embroidering techniques, thus building a connection to the larger art community. The Hormigas often work in a group, providing feedback and help to each other, resulting in a space where shared experiences manifest in both the caudros and in conversation. As such, many women find their time embroidering as relaxing, even therapeutic. This is crucial for communities such as Tanivet as it provides them self-sustainable methods of therapy, all the while providing an income, without having to rely on a federal government they feel is unable to help them.

Recent Acquisitions by Newcomb Art Museum

Jennifer Grijalva, Quilt Panel with Cactus, 2019, Embroidered fabric, 11” x 10.5”, Collection of the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, Gift of Mónica Ramírez-Montagut

Text reads, “Por necisidad y pobreza decidi cruzar el decierto y deje sola a mi familia / Out of necessity and poverty I decided to cross the border alone and leave my family.”

Rebeca Martinez, Quilt Panel with Trump Carrying Water Pails, 2019, Embroidered fabric, 11” x 10.5”, Collection of the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, Gift of Mónica Ramírez-Montagut

Text reads, “Ye entenri la leccion quitenme el castigo! -Por intentar separar a las familias -Por discriminade a los migrantes / I understand the lesson. Stop the punishment. -For trying to separate families -For discriminating against migrants.”

Jennifer Grijalva, Quilt Panel with Helicopter, 2019, Embroidered fabric, 11” x 10.5”, Collection of the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, Gift of Mónica Ramírez-Montagut

Text reads, “Otros migrantes mas que mueren por querer cruzar a los Estados Unidos / Many more migrants die wishing to reach the United States.”

Rosalva Garcia Martinez, Quilt Panel with Trump at Border Wall, 2019, Embroidered fabric, 11” x 10.5”, Collection of the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University, Gift of Mónica Ramírez-Montagut

Text reads, “Soy Donald Trump y no aviero a los mexicanos en mi pais / I am Donald Trump and I don’t want Mexicans in my country.”

Quilting workshops

The personal nature of each cuadro has led to exhibitions of the Hormiga’s work outside Tanivet, including in the United States. Some mothers were briefly reunited with their children when they traveled for these exhibitions, an opportunity made possible by the dedication these women have to their art. In other cases, the Hormigas held workshops where exhibitions were held to connect with locals and their own stories of emigration. [vii]

These connections, made through asking visitors to make their own cuadros, served as powerful reminders that the pain of emigration undertaken in search of a better life is not exclusive to Mexico, and impacts everyone one of us.



There is a shared sense of pride amongst the community at this positive reception to their work, empowering the women who seek to make their loved ones in the United States proud. The men in the community are especially proud of their wives and are deeply supportive of their work. The establishment of this artistic practice also brings hope to local children by providing them the opportunity to learn a useful skill to either help them should they decide to emigrate or provide an income should they decide to stay. In either case, the Hormigas' work is crucial to reestablishing a sense of pride and belonging to a community which felt lost with high rates of emigration.

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook

The Hormigas often work in groups and sometimes host visiting artists to hold workshops. Here artist Monika Machon holds a Tanivet sewing class for women to learn new techniques for their cuadros. Photos by Richard Bram Source: Posting on Facebook November 11, 2018. Hormigas Bordadoras de San Francisco Tanivet Oaxaca page, assessed May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/oaxwomen/

One of the Hormigas, Juana, shows her work to visitors at a workshop held in Madison, Wisconsin in 2018. The Hormigas have been able to take multiple trips to the United States for exhibitions where they have been able to reunite with family while sh

One of the Hormigas, Juana, shows her work to visitors at a workshop held in Madison, Wisconsin in 2018. The Hormigas have been able to take multiple trips to the United States for exhibitions where they have been able to reunite with family while sharing their work with others. Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: Juana (left), the head of Las Hormigas Bordadoras, teaches embroidery techniques to Maria Amalia Wood and daughter Natalia at the “Bordar Tu Propia Historia/Embroider Your Own Story” workshop at Madison Central Library in October 2018. Photo by Natalie Yahr. https://madisoncommons.org/2018/11/02/from-oaxaca-to-madison-stitching-with-a-common-thread/

Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: “Story cloths by Las Hormigas Bordadoras are displayed at Madison Central Library d

Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: “Story cloths by Las Hormigas Bordadoras are displayed at Madison Central Library during “The Other Side of the Border” opening event at Madison Central Library in October 2018.” https://madisoncommons.org/2018/11/02/from-oaxaca-to-madison-stitching-with-a-common-thread/

Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: Marco Torrez (center) and Philip Renner (right) meet artist Juana (left) during “Th

Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: Marco Torrez (center) and Philip Renner (right) meet artist Juana (left) during “The Other Side of the Border” opening event in October 2018 at Madison Central Library.” Photo by Natalie Yahr. https://madisoncommons.org/2018/11/02/from-oaxaca-to-madison-stitching-with-a-common-thread/

Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: Chef Leslie Abild (left) tries out an apron and laughs with Las Hormigas Bordadoras

Image Source: Natalie Yahr. “From Oaxaca to Madison: Stitching with a common thread”. November 2, 2018, Madison Commons, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Pictured: Chef Leslie Abild (left) tries out an apron and laughs with Las Hormigas Bordadoras artist Leonila at “The Other Side of the Border” opening event at Madison Central Library in October 2018. Photo by Natalie Yahr. https://madisoncommons.org/2018/11/02/from-oaxaca-to-madison-stitching-with-a-common-thread/

About Marietta

Founder of the Tanivet Project in Oaxaca in 2010, Marietta Bernstorff is a cultural promoter, artist and curator who has worked in Mexico and US for more than three decades. Her innovative exhibitions and educational programs deal with complex social issues in both countries touching upon migration, the environment, racism, and sustainability in social art projects. She is also founder of Mujeres Artistas y el Maiz, a global network of women artists in Canada, Mexico, USA, and Cuba that raises awareness of genetically modified seeds and their impact on cultural memory and biodiversity, among other issues of food and culture.