Basket case II

Basket case II opened yesterday. The project is the collaborative effort of the EUNIC Zimbabwe Cluster (British Council, Alliance Française and Goethe Institute) and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare. The  new commissions by artists Ifeoma Anyaeji (Nigeria), Alexandra Bircken (Germany), Tapfuma Gutsa (Zimbabwe), Delaine Le Bas (United Kingdom), Michel Paysant (France) as well as designers matali crasset (France) and Sebastian Herkner (Germany) show the innovative use of the basketry medium and the collaboration with five weaving communities: Binga Craft Centre (Binga), Bulawayo Home Industries (Bulawayo), Lupane Women’s Centre (Lupane), Zienzele Foundation (Masvingo) and STEP Trust (Honde).

Ifeoma Anyaeji’s artwork Asiwafuni Amavila is an amazing example of upcycling and makes use of ilala, sisal, plastic bottles and what she calls plasto – yarn (plastic bags turned into yarn). It reminds one of the intricacies of African hair braiding and the tenacity of rural women.

Asiwafuni Amavila photograph by Honour Mugabiri

Alexandra Bircken’s B. U. F. F. series symbolizes B- 52 American Bombers and uses ilala. Scania  is the re purposing of an old cart and giving it a new life.

Scania Photograph by Honour Mugabiri

 

Mixed Race Photograph by Honour Mugabiri

B. U. F. F. Series Photograph by Honour Mugabiri

Tapfuma Gutsa produced the most prolific work owing to his home advantage and the use of bamboo has never been this innovative.

Mapatya Photograph by Honour Mugabiri

Man of War Photograph by Honour Mugabiri

Delaine Le Bas’ Hear her roar is a complex use of the weaving technique of the master weavers of Binga echoing majestic warriors and the fearfulness of colonial power.

Hear her roar photograph by Honour Mugabiri

Michel Paysant’s The Blake Project a composition of William Blake’s first verse from Auguries of Innocence ‘to see a world in a grain of sand’ focuses on the digital/weaving interface. The installation is paired with a series of photographic portraits by photographer Eric Gauss.

 

The Blake Project photograph by Fadz

matali crasset took the gourd basket and redefined it. The Gourde Family explores functionality and aesthetics.

 

The Gourde Family Photograph by Fadz

 

The Gourde Family Photograph by fadz

Sebastian Herkner’s collaboration with the basket weavers of Binga led to the experiment of combining basketry and pottery.

Pamwe Together Photograph by fadz

 All these artists gave something and received something in return. The influence of the artists can be seen in the improved product range and designs at the open market. Basket Case II will run from 30 October to 15 December 2014 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare and 29 January to 21 March 2015 at the National Gallery, Bulawayo.