Presented by Basketry SA and The Friends of the Waite Arboretum
The last time I experienced basketry, it involved being 10 years old and wetting coarse strands of unattractive cane and weaving them into a very rough basket.
This exquisite exhibition is a world away from that!
I was treated to a personalised tour by Basketry artist, Beth Wiley, who described the intricacy of the pieces, offered fascinating insights and explained that basketry has opened its definition over the years. Traditionally restricted to certain types of materials and style, it is now an art form showing no bounds.
The traditionally slow and systematic techniques are still used that have been practised for thousands of years. These are enhanced with experimentation of new ideas and materials.
The works in Nature’s Pace explore natural and synthetic materials woven into functional containers, sculptural pieces and small wearable jewellery. I was enchanted by the beauty and variety of sculptural elements, texture, colour, pattern, functionality and abstract art forms.
Artist, Beth Wiley explaining the intricacies and details of the artwork.
The baskets, sculptures and small woven objects are made mostly from natural materials from parks, the bush, beaches and the artist’s own gardens. Materials are often from other people’s waste tree prunings, overgrown creepers, dried grasses, fallen palm fronds, feathers, seaweed and shells. Synthetic materials such as old rope, wool, fabric straps and plastic bags are some of the resources incorporated into some of the more colourful creations.
Natural materials are manipulated whilst wet to form frames, shapes and artistic features and sometimes treated for strength or durability with glycerine or varnish. These artworks are truly beautiful, complete with artistic integrity and in my humble opinion, very low priced (little tip if you want to get in fast before everyone reads this article and they sky rocket in price!).
‘Curves’ by Beth Wiley – the use of a philodendron flower pod determined the curves and shape.
‘Alphabet Native Bee Hotel’ by Terry Langham – a house for bees!
This exhibition is showcased in Urrbrae House, which is a stunning building and will be the subject of a separate article. The historic and beautiful features were a superb complement to these artworks.
Nature’s Pace Fringe exhibition ends 4pm, 1 March 2018. For future exhibitions or to be involved with Basketry SA, follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/BasketrySA or visit website
https://sites.google.com/site/basketrysainc/
Photo featured at top of article: ‘In Nature Space’ by Chris Banks – Grapevine and Dracanena draco
