What's a basket? exhibition
Basketry NSW Annual Exhibition has an exhibition on for two days only: Sunday 4th and Friday 9th August 2013; 10 am till 4 pm. Cremorne Sydney
Basketry NSW is showcasing members work in an exhibition of contemporary basketry and fibre sculpture, titled “What’s a basket”. Two of my sculptures will be featured including Forest Dreaming and Skipping Stones.
The exhibition is designed to change people’s perception of what a basket is. In conjunction, workshops and an open day will give people the opportunity to experience this wonderful art.
What's a basket? Once upon a time it was a container with a practical purpose, usually made from plant materials. Recently, basketry has undergone a radical reinvention.
Now all kinds of aesthetic pieces are made using ancient basketry techniques such as coiling, weaving, twining, netting and knotting - but with non-traditional materials, perhaps retaining only a vestige of "containerness", and not necessarily performing the function of holding physical objects within.
At the same time, contemporary basket makers continue to celebrate traditional forms and plant materials. This exhibition by members of Basketry NSW Inc. showcases a range of work that will expand your view of what a basket is.
Venue: The Mezzanine Gallery, Primrose Park Art & Craft Centre, Matora Lane (off Young St), Cremorne, NSW
More information on the Basketry NSW Facebook page.
'Undergrowth' selected for North Sydney Art Prize
My sculpture 'Undergrowth' has been selected for the North Sydney Art Prize exhibition.
A total of 130 artists were selected from a staggering 447 entries by the distinguished Selection Panel. The artists range from locals to regional and national artists. Many of them have an impressive exhibition history and have been finalists in major national and international events.
The exhibition is open 10am - 5pm, 27 July - 5 August 2013
Venues:
Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, 2 Balls Head Drive, Waverton
Hutley Hall, Council Chambers, 200 Miller Street, North Sydney
More information click here.
Skipping Stones featured in Mosman Daily
Skipping Stones featured in Mosman Daily for the exhibition "What's a basket?"
Artisan Markets at the Coal Loader
The first Artisan Markets at the Coal Loader in Waverton was so incredible today. We had standing room only in our basketry section for most of the day. It was wonderful to see so much interest in our art.
Baskets are full of stories
The baskets are not empty. They are full of makers, their stories, their thoughts while making. The baskets are never empty. All of the thoughts jump out of the baskets onto all of us.
Verna Nichols
Playing with pandanus
I recently went on a yoga retreat in Fiji at Daku Resort and the owner very kindly organised for me to visit a village to sit with the women and weave a traditional Fijian mat.
The material was pandanus (known as voivoi in Fiji) leaves which are so strong - strong enough to walk on for years - so the collection and preparation of the material is extensive. They are boiled, dried in the sun, smoothed out by hand (using a file - pictured), split into strips.
The weaving was quite complicated, but once you got into the rhythm, it became easier. It was such a wonderful experience.
A more detail description of this is on the Daku Resort blog.
