Basketry SA in action at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

A Kitchen Garden for school children  is being developed between the First Creek Wetland and Science Resource Centre in Adelaide Botanic Garden.
A part of the project is a large shade structure woven by members of Basketry SA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After several trials it was decided to use bamboo on the structure. This has been slow ,hard work for all those involved but the structure is now progressing and looking good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the biggest projects the group has been involved in with more than 40 weavers volunteering their time.

Hills Basket Cases at Nairne

Hills Basket Cases at  Gibberagunya  in May     

Some examples of the way Chris uses basketry in her garden.

 

Basketry SA in action at the Royal Adelaide Show

The completion of the Hanging Pod Chairs

Members of basketry SA were invited to weave 3 hanging pod chairs for a display in the Royal Adelaide Show. 3 metal frames were constructed to be woven.   

     This one is interlaced  or random weave using willow and red dogwood and took 5 6hour sessions with between   3 and 5 Hills Basket Cases  contributing.

Detail of interlacing

 

This one is woven using hand made  string and features windows ,knotless netting and lacing. It took 9 sessions with around 3-5 people plus many other members contributed by making miles and miles of string.This was constructed my members at the city HQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the smaller pod the bottom is woven willow, the top woven with willow,passionfruit,grape,rose,palm flower stalks.

It features a series of panels  constructed by many members of Basketry SA. This pod took 4  6 hour sessions for 3-5 Basket Cases. 

 

 

Once they where all completed it was time to hang them ready for the Royal Adelaide Show .

Willow Workshop

                                                                                                                                           
  Basketry SA’s  Willow Workshop with Tasmanian Jed Gillian was  held at Longwood Camp in the Adelaide Hills. It was attended by 30 or so excited basket makers some who had never made a basket..
   Before the workshop could get underway we needed    to  collect willow. Last winter we pruned suitable willow and this year were greeted by suitable long branches. Many hands ensured we got it harvested and bundled in time for the workshop.
We all started the day being introduced to willow. Types of willow ,about using it fresh, and why it made great baskets.Everyone then described the type of basket they would like  to make. (many grand ideas before we came to grips with the material and its limitations.)
We all soon got underway  quickly learning what you can and can’t do with fresh willow. We discovered it needs to kink around the stakes.
We all  started on the base with 6 strong sticks , 3 which where slit to allow the other 3 to pass through. This caused a few dramas with a couple of minor cut hands plus a more serious one that needed stitches. Soon we where all back at work making our bases.
Once the bases where complete next step was to make the framework. Long rods were inserted into the base and bent upwards called ‘ upsetting’. these where held in place by waling or was it randing with 3 weavers remembering all the while to kink the willow.Getting the right shape was frustrating here we blamed the material but really we were still coming to grips with the properties of wild willow some of which had been pruned for the workshop and some which was collected as best we could from the river.
 
As The weekend rolled on the baskets grew and took on their own life. Techniques  like English randing,pairing, and twining were being implemented .Then finally the borders started to finish the baskets.
Rib baskets were next and the range was equally impressive from huge to tiny mostly out of willow. There is now a new trend to have a willow rib basket tool box!
It was a great although exhausting weekend workshop. well worth every minute.Good subject,excellent tutor, good company, nice food and wine.Plus we all ended up with a basket or 2 and more importantly the knowledge and skills to make more.
So  now we await next winter and the willow basketry season. 

Morphing Nature Exhibition

Basketry SA Fringe Exhibition at Urrbrae House, February 24th –March 4th 2012

This exhibition showcases contemporary basketry created by members of

Basketry SA.

Photos by Max Magain
To view The exhibition click here