This exhibition featured work by almost 80 of Europe’s leading basket-makers in materials ranging from wire to willow and included both contemporary, sculptural work and traditional techniques. Visitors to the gallery were able to see how the work varied hugely from country to country, as did the materials. Curators Joe Hogan (Ireland) and Mary Butcher (UK) were passionate about exposing people to these wonderful, age-old techniques. This exhibition was produced by the National Craft Gallery in 2007 and toured to a number of venues in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
“Sadly, when the old basket makers die, so too will their traditional baskets,” says Hogan. “But as well as looking back, we are focusing on cutting edge contemporary work and that space in between, which most basket makers inhabit, creating professional, functional baskets.”