Exhibition Opening night | Wednesday 28th March | 5:30 - 7:00pm
Gallery F opening hours | Thurs-Frid 10-4pm | Sat 10am-2pm
Location: mim, museum of innocence mildura | 31-33 Deakin Ave
*Please note gallery will be closed Good Friday 30th March
Artist statement
Like most art and craft forms basketry originated in necessity. Our ancient earth mothers gathered plant materials within easy reach. Woven together they formed vessels for carrying babies and food, for nets to catch fish and fowl, for items of clothing, for protection from the elements. Later baskets were made to trade, and decorative elements were added to indicate regions and families.
As contemporary basket weavers we rejoice in using a smorgasbord of fibres, which we gather and prepare. Separately or combined with an infinite variety of man-made materials, we create unique pieces, both functional and decorative.
We experiment and share new techniques and learn from each other how to best utilize this vast menu. We can choose to work with traditional techniques, or to combine with other crafts, or to push the boundaries perhaps including found objects, both natural and man-made.
Basketry is about enjoying the tactile qualities of fibres and the intricate creating of our hands and hearts. It is a slow craft, like slow food, requiring preparation of material, hand shaping, allowing the fibres to speak and letting natural shapes evolve.
Our small group meets monthly. This is our first group exhibition.
