An exhibition of embroidered poems by HIV-positive women from Eswatini

The Project

Le Fil des Mots… is an exhibition born from the meeting of poetry, visual arts and embroidery. Artists and designers illustrated and interpreted poetic verses on the themes of the body, love and hope. These creations, reproduced on textile, were then embroidered by women from the support group supported by the association Dessine l’Espoir in Piggs Peak, Eswatini, in partnership with the Printemps des Poètes.

The participating artists gave free rein to their imagination in interpreting the poem they were offered, playing with lettering, motifs, textiles, colours and embroidery techniques to make each piece a unique work, produced in only a few copies (8 copies maximum). Each work is presented with the name of the poet, and that of the designer or artist who gave it visual form. Some texts were reproduced without graphic interpretation — in these cases, it was the women themselves who chose the colour palettes and techniques used.

The Embroiderers of Eswatini

These women began embroidering under the impetus of Designing Hope. They first expressed their creativity through scenes from their daily lives, then through awareness-raising messages embroidered on T-shirts and large textile supports, displayed locally in various public spaces. With the support of Dessine l’Espoir, they went on to take part in projects of international scope, creating complex embroideries based on designs by fashion designers (Lacroix, Lanvin, Viktor&Rolf…).

Initiated within the HIV-positive women’s support group at Piggs Peak Hospital, and at the premises of Fundzisa Live — Dessine l’Espoir’s local partner in Eswatini since 2005 — this craft activity now continues alongside the world of fashion through the Jardin des Savoir-Faire, established by Dessine l’Espoir with the support of Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche and the wonderful adventure of the lucky flower project launched by the department store, bearing the signature of South African designer Thebe Magugu.

The Artists

Around thirty creators contributed to this project, among them: Joël Andrianomearisoa, Carole Benzaken, Loulou de la Falaise, Cardin, Robert Combas, Maurizio Galante, Antoine Giacomoni, Anne-Valérie Hash, Hassan Massoudy, Misstic, Sakina Msa, Tony Soulié …

2026 — A New Presentation at the Instantanée Galerie

The works from Le Fil des Mots — The Thread of Words are presented once again in 2026 at the Instantanée Galerie, accompanied by other pieces embroidered by the women of Eswatini. This new presentation is an opportunity to discover or rediscover these unique works — testaments to a dialogue between artistic creation, poetry and craft, in the kind of cultural bridge that has animated the association since its founding in 2003.

All proceeds from the exhibition go entirely to Designing Hope, contributing to the funding of its fieldwork in southern Africa.