Contemporary International Basketmaking

Contemporary International Basketmaking

What is a basket? This is a question both for the reader and for the artists and makers who have entered this field, attracted by the potential of its variety of techniques and materials. Basketmaking is not only a tradition but also a contemporary art form; it is not only a pre-industrial technique stretching back into time and found in every region of the world; but it was also a vital cog in the Industrial Revolution, when the production of baskets increased exponentially. Today, new materials (notably metals and plastics) a new ecological consciousness and not least, the effort to record and keep alive sophisticated techniques that are in danger of dying out have stimulated basketmakers to learn from each other and experiment to an unprecedented degree. This book celebrates and informatively surveys and illustrates a vast international range of production, from museum pieces to contemporary work and has been produced to accompany a landmark, touring exhibition organized by the Crafts Council of England.