Approach to Basketry
Basketry works usually begin with experimental research about raw plant materials. I work with local vines, rushes and sedges and other common garden materials. I collect twine made from jute, hemp, sisal and linen to use in my coloured works. String-making, first taught to me by artist and master basket weaver Jim Walliss, is the foundation. A range of techniques are used.
Exhibitions
Solo
2018 Arabesque Solo exhibition, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery
2018 Cross-X-pollination Exhibition COPACC, invited exhibiting textile artist and artist talk
Group
2021 Interwoven 5, Group exhibition Belconnen Arts Centre Canberra Australia
2020 Finalist, Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, Sydney Living Museums, Meroogal House Nowra Australia
2017 Finalist, Shoalhaven NOW, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery
2013 Group exhibition Bound with Lissa de Sailles and Jim Walliss, Squid Studio Nowra
Basketry Teaching
2016- Tutoring the Winter Basketry School at Sturt Craft School, Mittagong
2020- Tutoring the Summer Basketry School at Sturt Craft School, Mittagong
2018-2020- Workshops for International Womens' Day in the Shoalhaven.
The galleries below showcase work created since 2011.
© 2014 by Mary Preece Proudly created with Wix.com
Wall piece made from Wmbat Berry Vine, Brush Kurrajong bark, 38cm diameter, 2020
Coiled sculptural form made from freesias, ixias with Wombat Berry Vine 2018-2020
Wombat Berry Vine, and cordage made from Settler's Flax and Gymea Lily. Wall piece. 2017 40 cm diameter.
This piece is a commissioned work, made from Brush Kurrajong bark and Watsonia for Belinda of @iamalchemy c2016
Brush Kurrajong and waxed linen thread, Collection of artist
Wall piece
Wall piece
Coiled bowl from Watsonia, Settler’s Flax, Brush Kurrajong handmade cordage; hand stitched with waxed linen thread; lapped details.
Base of small coiled oval basket local sedge
Coiled oval basket, watsonia and blue raffia
Coiled bowl made from crochet linen cordage
Coiled basket with rim detail, made from Eleocharis rush
Twined and plaited form made from Brush Kurrajong bark. July 2015. Collection of artist
Coiled bowl from mixed origen handmade cordage with rim detail. December 2015
Coiled bowl from inner and outer Brush Kurrajong bark, with coiled string base. July 2015.
Coiled bowl from linen cordage dyed with Brush Kurrajong bark. Waratah sepals, with nutscene red coiled outer. December 2015. Collection of the artist.
Small Oval Bowl Coiled bowl from inner Brush Kurrajong bark. August 2015. Gifted to Jennifer Thompson, Xmas 2015
Netted bowl from hand made string made from Brush Kurrajong bark. July 2015. Collection of artist.
Plaited mini panie made from Brush Kurrajong bark and wood. August 2015. Collection of artist.
Coiled bowl from mixed origen handmade cordage with rim detail. December 2015 Collection of artist
Hand dyed Jute coiled basket with rim detail
Coiled bowl from Bomaderry Sedge Gift for Jackie Abrahms, April 2015
Coiled bowl from hand double-dyed linen cordage in wave form. 12 Hours, $70 For Sale at Nortje by Geraldine September 2015
Coiled bowl duo from hand double-dyed linen cordage and Shon twine if iwave and tricorn forms. September 2015
Coiled bowl from hand double-dyed linen cordage in wave form. September 2015
Small coiled bowl made from hand made cordage from the inner bark of Brush Kurrajong - Commersonia Fraseri
Coiled, hand dyed linen basket, circle loop detail on base
Pale Indigo dyed linen bowl, coiled with loop details
Coiled large basket made from jute and handmade day lily cordage with Cocos Palm efflorescence. Collection of artist
Large coiled basket hand stitched with waxed linen thread and made from linen and coconut fibre twines, with palm efflorescence. January 2015
Coiled soft bowl made from handmade cordage from hemp and cotton twine. reedsandvinesTricorn structure.
Coiled bowl, hand stitched from philodendron string, Norfolk Pine branchlets and Snow Wood seed pods.
Handmade cordage from cordyline leaves, coiled and handstitched with jute twines and cocos palm efflorescence. February 2014
Handmade cordage from lavender stems and red hot poker leaves. Small Coiled bowl. February 2014
Coiled basket of Nutscene red cordage with Waratah sepal details
Coiled basket from fresh lavender from my mother's garden.
Indigo Dyed, commercial linen twine. Collection of Josie from Il Locale
Mary E Preece Artist