Having originally studied Contemporary Dance and costume design for dance I turned to a different form of 3D design and making. I have been a full-time Basketmaker for fifteen years with a passion for detail, accurate technique and exploring the potential of my materials.
I mainly work with willow and rush with occasional pieces in cane, leather, raffia and wire.
I have a number of very functional core baskets designed for everyday use such as shopping and log baskets; rush placemats and storage baskets; oval potato harvesting baskets and eel traps very much of the Ely fens circa mid 20th Century. I also reseat chairs in rush all of which I harvest with my family in waterways around Ely – this harvesting aspect of my work is very important and keys it into the place I live and create in. A strand of my current practice draws attention to the internal cell structure of the rush (schoenoplectus lacustris) and the effects of working on and off moulds with twining techniques.
- The Brett Gallery, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk
- Inkpot Gallery, Ely
- Haddenham Arts Centre, Haddenham
- David Parr House, Gwydir Street, Cambridge
I consider commissions and make for private individuals and film production companies including the recent Disney “Cinderella” movie.
Alongside traditional work runs my exploration of the materials and how else I can use them forming vessels, platters and even garments and shoes. I have exhibited in this country and Europe over the last decade with new works selected for the following:
- East Weaves West-Basketry from Japan & Britain 2007
- Winner of the Best Basket of the Year 2010 from the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
- East Anglian Basketry, The Gallery at Norwich University College of the Arts 2011
- Collaboration with Helen Martino at Cambridge Contemporary Arts 2014
- Basketry Identity Exhibition, Riverhouse Arts Centre, Walton on Thames 2015
- Open Studios Preview Exhibition with ECOS, Babylon Arts June 2015
- ECOS Advent Exhibition, Babylon Arts December 2015
- Cambridge Open Studios 2015 & 2016
WEBSITE: elybasketmaker.wordpress.com
EMAIL: elybasketmaker@gmail.com
TWITTER: @elybasketmaker
