Basketry: Making Human Nature 

Basketry: Making Human Nature, brings together traditional and contemporary basketry from Western Amazonia, North America, Oceania, Africa, Japan, south-east Asia and Europe. The exhibition reveals the extraordinary uses of basketry technology and asks us to consider its place in human culture.

Among the works are stunning shields from north-east Congo and the Solomon Islands, fish traps from Cameroon, Ghana and Thailand, a colourful gorget from the Society Islands, Egyptian shoes, masks from the Salampasu of Angola and baskets from across the globe. The exhibition also includes large-scale basketry such as a reed boat from Lake Titicaca in Peru, a fishing weir from Papua New Guinea and a woven architectural wall panel from Guy’s Hospital in London by artist Thomas Heatherwick.

The exhibition will feature new commissions and works by artists responding to the gallery spaces and themes in the exhibition, and showing how basketry is being used today. Spectacular contemporary art and design by leading artists including Dail Behennah, Mary Butcher, Ueno Masao and Lois Walpole will be on display.

You will see many weaving techniques that have been used to create designs ranging from simple geometric herringbone twill to the most complex sculptural forms. The works are made from a surprising variety of materials including traditional willow and cane, wire and recycled plastic. Other objects show the application of basketry designs for ceramics, glassware and carving. An illustrated catalogue to accompany the exhibition is available from the Sainsbury Centre Gallery Shop.

Basketry: Making Human Nature is a Sainsbury Institute for Art project and has been developed by the Sainsbury Centre and the School of World Art Studies and Museology at the University of East Anglia. The exhibition has been curated by Professor Sandy Heslop.

Supported by the AHRC

In association with Norfolk and Norwich Festival
http://www.scva.co.uk/exhibitions/forthcoming/index.php?exhibition=115