International basketmaking that touches lives

Basket-making is often perceived as more of a serf rather than noble craft.  Admittedly, it does lean towards the basic and functional in its forms and uses - from the humble carrying basket of hunters and gatherers, to the simple containers of our million nik-naks and dirty laundry. 

Yet, the earthy, elemental basket is also heaving with powerful symbolic weight. It was, after all, Moses' only means of protection when cast adrift on the River Nile.   And currently, the inspiration for the roof structure of the new Pompidou Centre building in Metz, France, comes from the form of Chinese woven bamboo hats worn by rice pickers in the paddy fields, “because they have a structure, as well as insulation and waterproofing,” the building’s designer, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban recently declared.

The exhibition ‘Contained Spaces’ is Pravina Khilnani King’s attempt to re-address basket-making’s poor relation status.  And this, the curator has chosen to do via a celebration rather than a justification. Essentially, the exhibition showcases for the first time in the UK, developments in contemporary basket making through the work of four female makers from Botswana, India, Japan and Scotland. The common thread – or rather palm leaf, or willow branch - shared by these women is that all use basket weaving as a powerful medium of self expression.

For more on this story visit the craftscotland website.