East Weaves West
 "East Weaves
West - Basketry from Japan & Britain" is a travelling exhibition
showcasing the work of British and Japanese basketmakers. The exhibition
has been curated by Trade Advisor Mary Butcher and Laura Hamilton. The
opening was at the Collins Gallery in Glasgow in July 2007. The Prime
Warden was in attendance, with Liverymen and Yeoman members of the Company,
members of the Basketmakers Association and the Scottish Basketmakers
Circle, along with a contingent of Japanese basketmakers.
 The work
on display represents a huge range of techniques and materials, from
deeply traditional through to startlingly contemporary. A month-long
trip made by Mary to Japan in 2005 was the inspiration for the exhibition.
 Mary says
the collection is “...a mix of both our cultures, throwing new light
on the practice of basketmaking, putting together the works of UK makers
with Japanese counterparts.” As part of the opening, a seminar was held
with presentations from Japanese and British makers about the methods
of working, the materials, the design issues and the motivation for
their baskets.
 An excellent
90-page catalogue was produced, with images of the work of each maker
and a commentary. Financial support for the exhibition was provided
by the Company, the Basketmakers' Association, the Arts Council and
other funding bodies. The venues showing the exhibition are:
- 8 Sept – 10 Nov 2007
Michael West Gallery
Quay Arts
Newport
IOW
www.quayarts.org
- 18 Jan – 2 May 2008
Hove Museum & Art Gallery
Hove
www.hove.virtualmuseum.info
- 24 May – 4 Sept 2008
National Vlechtmuseum
Noordwolde
Netherlands
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