Building Baskets: Zimbabwe Makers and Kingston University

About

Set in the heart of the Brompton Design District, Building Baskets unveils the process and results of a two-year participatory design collaboration between Kingston University's Faculties of Design and Business, the basket weaving enterprise Lupane Women's Centre and the National Gallery Zimbabwe. The project is part of the British Council's International Architecture and Design Showcase 2012 (21 June-23 September); a global gathering of cultural projects that investigate architecture and design from across the world, presented for the London 2012 Festival. Using Kingston student projects as the starting point, a two-week workshop in Zimbabwe gave 25 weavers the opportunity to explore their identity and creativity. By developing new products and making opportunities, Building Baskets tests contemporary craft practice and entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe.