We all think we know what basketry is: but have you ever taken a closer look? Beyond the everyday storage and laundry baskets found in homes today, there is an extraordinary legacy of basketmaking across Britain – and it’s at risk of being forgotten.
An exhibition at the Harley Gallery, Nottinghamshire Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining puts baskets back in the spotlight, inviting visitors to take a closer look at Britain’s oldest craft, to discover the beauty and surprising diversity of baskets still being made today.
Stepping into the gallery, visitors will be immersed in the scent of willow, straw and hazel and surrounded by exhibits of all shapes and sizes. From coracle boats to intricately woven straw crowns to palm-sized coasters – visitors may be surprised to discover just how expansive the world of basketry is.
The free entry exhibition runs from 12 April until 29 June 2025 and brings together the work of over 60 of Britain’s most skilled basket makers. Many traditional British basketry skills are now considered critically endangered by Heritage Crafts, and this new generation of craftspeople are dedicated to keeping them alive and relevant.
Historically, there were baskets for a myriad of purposes – designed to carry, to store, to transport and to trap. Many were made for specific regional industries by local people, using native materials: the craftspeople of today are continuing this tradition.
For example, visitors will see Jo Hammond’s contemporary oyster tendle, which is a type of basket traditionally used to gather oysters on the east coast of Suffolk, Essex and Kent. It is made using elm foraged from hedgerow cuttings which can only be collected once a year.
Although steeped in history, the objects on display are contemporary and functional, made to be used, enjoyed and admired every day – with many of the exhibited works for sale.
Lisa Gee, Director of the Harley Foundation, said: “I love the fact that basketry is so physical, the sheer strength needed to manipulate these natural materials is immense, and yet this strength is often used to create often small, domestic objects. Humans have made these forms for millennia; every time we use them, we can connect to this shared heritage.”
The Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining exhibition forms part of the continued work of the Basketmakers’ Association’s Traditional Basketry Project supported by the The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers and delivered in partnership with Heritage Crafts. The touring exhibition was first shown by and is organised by Ruthin Craft Centre. The exhibition was curated by Gregory Parsons with the Traditional Basketry Project and Heritage Crafts.
Full list of exhibiting artists: Nadine Anderson, Fiona Arnold, Bunty Ball, Ewen Balfour, Terry Bensley (historic), Rachel Bower, Martin Buckle (historic), Hilary Burns, Mary Butcher MBE, Selena Chandler, Mandy Coates, Angela Cole, John Cowan, Jenny Crisp, Alisha Davidson, Colette Davies, DJ Davies (historic), Mark Dellar, Samantha Dennis, François Desplanches, Peter Dibble, Eve Eunson, Rachel Evans, Rosie Farey, Angela Firth, Alison Fitzgerald, Sophie Francis, Rachel Frost, Claire Gaudion, Max Gaudion, Lewis Goldwater, Sally Goymer (historic), Matilda Grover, Jo Hammond, Ciaran Hogan, Ironbridge Coracle Trust (historic), Dai James (historic), Tim Johnson, Gill Jones, Sue Kirk, Rob Knight, Sarah Le Breton, Mary Lewis, Anna Liebmann, Julie Livesey, Lin Lovekin, Veronica Main MBE, Michelle Mateo, Colin Manthorpe (historic), Sue Morgan, Jane Morgan and Noreen Kemp, Daniel Neal, Lawrence Neal, Déa Neile-Hopton, Niwbwrch Marram Project, Annemarie O’Sullivan, Dominic Parrette, Carol Partridge, Jo Porter, Lewis Prosser, Clare Revera, Clare Shilvock, Lorna Singleton, Leslie Smith, John Williamson, Lois Walpole, Alan Winlow.
- Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining is on show at the Harley Foundation, Nottinghamshire from 12 April – 29 June 2025.
- The exhibition is free to enter and there is a large, free car park.
- The Gallery is open Tuesday – Sunday. Please check www.harleyfoundation.org.uk for opening times.
- The Harley Foundation is on the Welbeck estate, on the A60 south of Worksop. It is 15 minutes from both the A1 and M1.
Posted on 14 February 2025
