1. Introduction to Fibers Basketry Contemporary Basketry

2. Basketry is widely accepted as the oldest known form of craft. Since ancient times people have constructed baskets to fill specific needs: to collect, carry, display, or store. Through the centuries, the basket has remained an integral part of daily life in many cultures.

3. Ferne Jacobs, Tides, waxed linen thread, 26” x 17” x 17.”

5. Orange Zipper Teapot by JoAnne Russo, made from wax linen and other fibers

6. Pine Needle Baskets by Lynn & Sue Van Couvering Antler Handle Basket, spiral wheat stitch with contrasting band of needles with caps around center. Approximately 7" dia. x 7" high

7. This pine needle basket is hand woven by Ida Z. Gordon of Anderson, CA ( Native American Shasta Indian). The basket is made of pine needles, raffia, and decorated with coastal redwood pinecones. The basket measures 8" in diameter and 2.5" tall.

8. Hana Highway Peggy Wyman Sculpture using pine needles waxed linen thread and wood 13" x 10.5"

9. Teri Thomson Pine needle basket 10" x 8 1/2" x 1 1/2"

10. Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieszka Gradzik create environmental art pieces that are literally tree huggers. Their sculptures are twigs, vines, sticks and branches woven together and entwined to create wicker people that wrap their arms around tree trunks.

11. Joan is a contemporary basket maker whose work is firmly rooted in traditional basketry. She celebrates the past through her precise technique, obvious passion for beauty and balance, and homage to natural materials. Brink states “The shape of the vessel, the patterns that sing of spirit, the patience of the meditation that is weaving, each of these things invokes relationship to the beauty path.” Brink’s serene, full forms, speak of a quiet, subtle, perfect beauty that few can attain.

12. "PEACE PRAYER #2" Joan Brink Bleached, dyed and natural cane, reed and yellowheart 11.25" x 14"

13. Ferne Jacobs, Tides, waxed linen thread, 26” x 17” x 17.”

14. Jan Buckman GUARDIAN II waxed linen and hawthorne branches 27" x 7.5" x 7", 2002 I continue to work with the concepts of containment, nurturing and incubation, which suggest an active participation. The Guardian series suggests a more watchful participation as in the role of a sentry or perhaps the keeper.

15. "CHICKEN LITTLE" Jan Hopkins cantaloupe peels, grapefruit peels, Alaskan yellow cedar, ostrich shell beads and waxed linen 7 1/2" x 11" x 10"

16. "TOLERANCE" Jan Hopkins Grapefruit peel, cantaloupe peel, waxed linen 8 1/2" x 10" x 3"each

17. "DONO" Polly Adams Sutton Cedar bark, wire 14" x 24 " x 20 “ In order to create her sculptural baskets, Sutton uses western cedar bark because of its manipulative qualities. She allows the natural curve of each piece of bark help determine the form of a completed piece. Sutton works intuitively, relying on her background in sculpture and painting to give rise to the unlimited potential of basketry. “I am satisfied when the cedar has taken on a new shape, yet recalls the serenity of the forest.

18. Mary Jackson (b. 1945) is a basket maker who lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Stoney. She makes sweetgrass baskets that come out of a tradition that has been passed down to her from her ancestors. It originated in West Africa, and then was brought to America by slaves.

19. Zoe Morrow Rippled Twill (Back View) Vessel Woven From Shredded Money 4.75" x 2" x 6.5“ "Years ago I saw a bag of shredded money in a coin store, and into my head popped the line, 'unable to spin straw into gold - she wove money instead.'" In addition to being my inspiration, my material is part of my statement. I want the viewer to rethink his/her relationship with money. Is it a goal in life or merely a material to build that life with. While I want my artwork to engage the mind of the viewer, I also first and foremost want my baskets to please the eye, to be both interesting and enjoyable to behold.

20. Clay Burnette created this pine needle basket which he calls "Tribal".

21. Introduction to Fibers Basketry Student Work

41. Introduction to Fibers Basketry Final Projects