In early June 2024 I attended a twined basket workshop with talented Norfolk textile artist Lizzie Kimberly. I had seen Lizzie's work exhibited (I think at Houghton Hall) and had been following her on Instagram for a while when I saw the workshops were available. Always wanting to add a new skill to my textile toolbox I signed up. Lizzie's sustainable ethos resonates with my own ideas around overconsumption and waste, she uses fully recoverable or biodegradable materials in her work. She also gathers plant materials to make her own twines and cordages.
There were 3 other group members and we all held sustainability at the core of our practice. I, however, seemed to be the only participant interested in using waste materials e.g. plastics, old cables, car parts, found objects etc. I am conscious that the things I make aren't biodegradable but I am not (generally) buying new materials to use in my work.
During the workshop we had time to try two different starting methods - a bundle with a knot and an interlaced base. We could also experiment with adding horizontal and vertical stripes, checks and tying strands into the work to provide texture and interest. I was able to finish my smaller basket and bring materials to finish the second one at home.
This workshop has really jumpstarted a new interest for me, I immediately made another few twined baskets using different materials so as to embed the skills learnt. I also bought a second hand copy of an excellent book Lizzie recommended - Stella Harding and Shane Waltener's Practical Basketry Techniques. This contains instructions and starting points for a whole load more techniques and a lot of inspiration for what I am really interested in - using non traditional materials to make non traditional shapes. As soon as I had finished my first baskets I hung them upside down, seeing them as sculptural objects rather than vessels. As I am not going to be carrying on with my formal art studies for the moment I am looking for something to push me forwards and give me a purpose for my continued research and experimentation - basketry it is!
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