JOAN CARRIGAN
Artist’s
Bio
It was during travels in the South Pacific, when I was first drawn to
the natural beauty and significance of Basketry. Upon returning, I
attended my first Basketry Conference in Toronto, Ontario. This was an
exhilarating experience and my passion for basketry has continued to
grow over the years.
The use of natural
materials in basketry has always appealed to me and resonates with my
love of the natural world. I am drawn to the intrinsic beauty of barks,
roots, and vines. Through the process of respectfully gathering,
preparing and incorporating materials from nature, I find a deepened
respect and appreciation for the long tradition of basket making found
in all cultures.
In my work I am
interested in blending the random aspects of the natural world with the
control of human involvement; simplicity with complexity; yielding with
exertion. It is a balance between exercising control over the materials
and allowing it’s own characteristics and presence to come
through in the piece. Working with these materials is a process of
discovery, a collaboration, turning a flat piece of bark or strands of
vine into a 3-dimensional form. The avenues of creative exploration are
endless.
It is my desire to honour
the natural world by using these materials in a way which allows the
spirit of the living plant to be content in its new form.
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