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Contemporary Baskets and Basket Making

by Edit Meaklim

The Budgeon's display case - Richmond Library Foyer

415 Church Street, Richmond (Melbourne)

2 August to 31 October 2018

Review by Rosemary Mangiamele


As you walk into the foyer of the Richmond Library, the Budgeon display cabinet has a wonderful collection of creatively woven baskets of all shapes and sizes, made by the artist Edit Meaklim. This exhibition reveals an extensive range of ideas and techniques in the construction and form of each basket. With her extensive experience in sculpture, art, craft, design and basketry over the years, Edit has incorporated these skills, knowledge and creativity into the making of these baskets.

Contemporary baskets and basket making by Edit Meaklim - front view of display case

On the top shelf there are three individual fish, using different techniques in their making of looping and twisting.The sword fish has a wonderful sword shaped mouth, the flat fish has a large round mouth, blue eyes and a more tightly woven body, and the third one also has a large round mouth, and open weave body.

Sword Fish, cordyline, technique looping, 51 x 4 x 14 cm, by Edit Meaklim

Flat Fish, twined cordyline, 30 x 6 x 14 cm; Round Fish, open twisted twined cordyline, 32 x 6 x 12 cm

Amongst the range of traditionally shaped small and larger baskets, there are also samples and instructions for making them. The samples of looping, using coloured telephone wire clearly demonstrate the way some of the items are constructed.

Collection of samples made from telephone wire, various dimensions, by Edit Meaklim

Melon Basket, palembang & wisteria vine, random weave, 35 x 32 x 31 cm, by Edit Meaklim

There is a sturdy melon basket made from Palembang and wisteria vine, with a random weave body. The small bowl, number 6, is finely coiled, using date palm; and the twill weave shopper, number 7, has an exotic lining and handle. There is a potato basket and landscape storage basket, which both look strong enough to carry a heavy load.

Lanscape storage basket, cordyline, fabric & wool, 40 x 26 x 26 cm, by Edit Meaklim

Small coiled basket, polished jute polypropelene, by Edit Meaklim, publised in 500 Basket Book, Larkin Books

The Bushy Yate bowl, number 13, is a fine example of the basketmaker’s skills, with the incorporation of cordyline red hot poker and Bushy Yate seed pods - looking like a skirt of “witches fingers” for halloween!

Bushy Yate Bowl, cordyline red hot poker & bushy yate seed pod, 30 x 30 x 18 cm, by Edit Meaklim

The display has attracted the interest of many visitors to the library.

 

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