Material Content: Basketry Sculpture in the 21st Century
March 18 – May 15, 2005
See Exhibition Online

Curator's Statement

'Baskets is a very broad term that encompasses all sorts of images. A basket is a vessel, it is a container, it is a carrier, it is a familiar object. Basketry crosses craft mediums in that potters, glass blowers, paper makers and metal-smiths make objects they call baskets. Basketry is one of the few craft mediums that is identifiable by the technique and not by the material. The common bond is that the object, whether functional or sculptural, is woven, plaited, twined, ribbed or coiled”. Quote from “Baskets” by Billie Ruth Sudduth.

The late Ed Rossbach, widely credited as the father of the contemporary basket movement, combined a wide use of materials with almost every possible textile construction technique to comment on contemporary culture. This marriage of content with process began to occur in academia in the 1960’s, which makes the contemporary basketry movement so young; a movement that continues to innovate. Social commentary, environmental inspiration and concerns, autobiographical explorations, as well as spiritual and intuitive responses serve as sources all or in part for artists in this exhibition. “Contained Space: Basketry Sculpture in the 21st Century” serves as a snapshot of what sculpture created with basketry techniques looks like as we begin this century.

Basketry processes, mostly repetitive and beautifully revealing are engaging. The techniques and materials invite examination while creating surface texture and a defining of space that are just the beginnings for approaching content. This exhibition provides the opportunity to experience the use of a contemporary voice creating space with the infinite ways the interlacing of available materials can be employed.

I wish to thank the artists and galleries involved in lending work which affords the opportunity to create an educative and glorious dialogue experiencing this work in person provides. Moreover, I thank Craft Alliance for a gallery space dedicated to encouraging these involvements, and Luanne Rimel and Teri Pohlman for their heartfelt dedication to art education. Further, thank you for the documentation of this exhibition through a beautifully designed catalogue; it lends credibility and durability to the art making process.

Kate Anderson, Curator