Lena Bartula La Huipilista

YO TE VEO SMA

a global collaborative project

for mending our world

THE STORY OF YO TE VEO SMA

Hello and welcome. I’m Lena Bartula, founder and organizer of YO TE VEO SMA, a global collaborative project based in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. Our work is embroidering eyes on textile art in support of Palestine. It began in October, 2023 when I couldn’t stop looking at the Instagram posts coming out of Gaza. The people were saying that it seemed liked no one saw them, that no one seemed to care what was happening. I saw bombs, people under the rubble, so many horrific scenes. On October 20, I closed my gallery in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and other arts institutions around the world. I wanted, I needed, to keep my eyes on Gaza. And I knew I needed to address this in my art.

In early November, I had a vision of a dress with eyes on it. It was like a Tatreez embroidery, so I sketched it in my journal. Then another one. The eyes were on squares, something I had never done before. But I soon realized that I don’t make dresses, I make huipiles. It was then that I decided to just start stitching eyes, that might become a large garment. I reopened the doors to the gallery, and one day, a young woman walked in and asked what I was doing. When I told her, she asked if she could stitch with me. The same thing happened 2 days later, and that’s when I knew this might become something more, something bigger, than my usual art. I called some meetings with friends to tell them my idea of asking others to stitch with me, to name the project, and see what we could do to make a difference. It was a resounding YES, do it! And so began YoTeVeo SMA.

I invited friends to the studio to stitch with me, and other friends held stitching days for us in their stores or studios. Visitors started asking if they could start groups in their own cities, and the project began to grow. At first it was all eyes on Gaza, now we include the West Bank. We know now, that our eyes have to also be on Sudan, Congo, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela… there are too many to name who are suffering the effects of Zionism, colonialism, and capitalism. However, our funding is still for Palestine, and while we can’t save them all, we can end the suffering of a few, one meal at a time. One day at a time.

There are now more than 600 people internationally who have sent us squares stitched with eyes for Gaza. We’re always happy to receive eyes in the mail from individuals and groups. Here, we put them together into Witness quilts or other products for sale, and always, 100% of everything we sell goes to an organization or a family in Gaza. If you wish to help us help them, email me at lenabartula@gmail

Past Meets Present, ancestor quilt, intervened, 81x81", 2025

Yo Te Veo SMA's Witness Quilts are made by hearts and hands around the world, in support of a free Palestine. 100% of the proceeds of our quilts goes directly to the organization of your choice. You find the quilt you like, send the money to the org of your choice, and show us the receipt. No admin fee, no middle-person, and you can stop saying you wish you could help but you don't know how. We make it easy!

Las colchas Witness de Yo Te Veo SMA se hacen con el corazón y las manos en todo el mundo, en apoyo a una Palestina libre. El 100 % de las ganancias de nuestras colchas se destina directamente a la organización que elijas. Encuentra la colcha que te gusta, envía el dinero a la organización que prefieras y muéstranos el recibo. Sin gastos administrativos, sin intermediarios, y ya no digas que te gustaría ayudar pero no sabes cómo. ¡Te lo ponemos fácil!

Collective Treasures

Connection, 100x122cm, 700 usd

De York a Falasteen, mixed media quilt, 76x96 cm, 450 usd

Witness Quilt card

Yo Te Veo SMA has begun a new initiative with Medicos Sin Fronteras, the Mexico affiliate of Doctors Without Borders. This is one of our many options for donating when purchasing one of the Witness Quilts. https://dona.msf.mx/form/formulario-donacion-iniciativas- . There you can choose between English and Spanish translations, and see all the details for helping us to help Palestinians to resist the occupation and survive the devastation. We at Yo Te Veo SMA and San Miguel por Palestina vow to continue to keep our eyes on the situation, and stitch the open eyes onto quilts and other artworks for sale and exhibition. We invite you to join us if you're ready to make a difference.

Fundraiser for Palestine

SAVE THE DATE!

On December 1, the Yo Te Veo SMA team will be joined by San Miguel por Palestina for a giant multi-person sale at La Huipilista Artspace. Think of it as a garage sale without a garage. An estate sale without an estate. Just people in solidarity with Palestine and humanity, doing what we can to get some funding to people in need as winter begins to settle in. The bombing, sniping, starving, disease, etc. is not coming to an end as soon as it needs to, and we want to do whatever we can right now.

Urgency is of the utmost importance now. Please help however you can.

Vive Palestina 2024

These gorgeous WITNESS QUILTS, made with love by the hearts and hands of Yo Te Veo SMA, will be sold at this event, plus online! The fundraiser sale is Oct. 10, but presales are always welcome. If you see one you like, email me. 100% of the sale of these wall hangings and other art will benefit Palestinians via the organization of your choice. There are also selected items generously donated by other artists and supporters, available here at the gallery.