2015 has been a busy year already for your Weaving by the Sea tutors! Mai, Monica and Tim are looking forward to our gathering in September and are working hard to make all the arrangements to make sure everyone has a great time in Vilanova i la Geltru. Places are booking up fast for the six courses - so don't delay if you would like to join us!
Monica has been demonstrating at several markets in Catalonia this month including the excellent specialist craft market last weekend in Asco - here she is finishing the border on a large traditional basket called a 'Cove' used for a variety of agricultural jobs and today still in demand for both domestic storage and use outdoors. Made with split willow and european Arundo cane on a traditional Catalan base the basket is both strong and light.
Mai is always busy combining her making for markets, exhibitions and commissions with teaching in Denmark and Norway. At the moment Mai is preparing baskets for a special exhibition curated by Danish basketmaker Jette Mellgren themed around fruit baskets at the Frilandmuseet in Maribo on the Danish island of Lolland. This renowned museum is part of the National Museum of Denmark and is located in an area associated with fruit growing. Above three of Mai's special blue baskets using her own home grown willow varieties with a lovely plum like bloom.
Tim is just off the plane from a six week teaching and research trip to Australia having been hosted by groups such as Basketry NSW and the Basketmakers of Victoria plus the excellent gallery in Newcastle Timeless Textiles. Full of inspiration from downunder - including the stunning dancing ground of the Satin Bowerbird - above - at Harriet Goodall's place he is now developing a new body of work in his new studio in Vilanova i la Geltru - just two floors up from Monica's!
A collection of Tim's pieces (detail below) has just been on show in the exhibition Influence and Evolution: Fiber Sculpture…then and now at Browngrotta Art in Connecticut, USA alongside some of the leading exponents of the contemporary basketry and fibre arts movement.
So.....catching our breath....we look forward to greeting you with a nice chilled glass of local white wine at Weaving by the Sea 2015! See you there.....
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