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BASKETRY is my chosen medium for expressing my creative energy.
Modern day basketry, of course, is set against a background of rich cultural,
historical significance. Baskets have been used by virtually all cultures since
the dawn of civilization. The basket was very probably early man's first tool and
most important invention. As discussed by Jack Lenor Larsen in his
introduction to the basketry exhibition The Tactile Vessel, New Basket Forms,
"The basket allowed groups of gatherers to come together to eat, as opposed
to animals who ate on the spot. This, the first gathering and social exchange,
encouraged the development of communication and language. The counting
involved in basketry was the beginning of mathematics. Basketry also led to
traps and nets, fish baskets, and - with all of this - a larger brain."
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A small, dedicated group of mostly North American artists working in the field
since the early 1970's have pushed the limits of this fibre movement to new
heights. As well as the traditional methods of coiling, twining or interlacing,
many of the new basket forms employ looping, knotting fabricated planes, and
papermaking. I have been profoundly influenced in my work by my basketry
mentor and friend, Joleen Gordon. Also, by the instruction and work of Lissa
Hunter. I have also been inspired by the works of other modern day pioneers
in the field - Ed Rossbach, Patti Lechman, and John McQueen to name a few,
as well as by the wonderful, enduring basketry of Native Americans. It is a very
exciting field of artistic exploration.
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My baskets are either coiled or twined and are very intimate explorations of
ideas, materials, form and color. Though worked in traditional methods, my
work is a contemporary translation. I use both natural and man-made materials
in the construction and embellishment of my baskets.
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I feel in my work a connection to my childhood, in my native home, Nova
Scotia, Canada, of carefree, solo rambling explorations of the fields, forests
and seashores. I remember ocean scoured bits of glass and heavy, round
pebbles with veins of shiny quartz, and bouquets of red maple leaves in the fall.
Treasures, collected and shared with excitement.
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My baskets have been exhibited at a number of galleries and in solo and group
exhibitions both in Canada and in California. I am professionally affiliated with
Gallery Morgan Hill in Morgan Hill, California..
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