Artist of the month:
Introduction about the maker
'New Forms & Old Friends’ is an exhibition of new work by basketmaker Lise Bech which has opened at the Broughton Gallery near Biggar.
The exhibition is the result of 10 month's work, supported by a Scottish Arts Council creative development award, which allowed her to step away from symmetry and create asymmetric forms.
After spending a week in Germany working with basketmaker Klaus Sayfang, whose work she has followed for many years, she carried out experimental work.
In the past her basketmaking has focused on traditional skills and obtaining symmetrical form. In her new forms of organic pod shapes and more sculptural shapes she feels there is a new rootedness with the gentle curves reflecting the relationship of the Southern landscape. She describes her new work as more feminine and expressive.
 
Lise, who grew up in Denmark, lives in Glenbuck in Ayrshire. She gathers her own willow, some of which she also grows. In all of her work she aims to show the beauty of the willow.
During June, Lise will be in the USA for three weeks on a tailormade research trip. In New York she will be part of the Crafts Council party looking at SOFA, the 8th International Exposition of Sculptural objects and Functional Art, visiting the American Craft Fair and the Museum of Art and Design (previously known as the American Craft museum).
 
In California she will visit galleries specialising in 'fiberart' and attend the opening of the del Mano gallery's annual basketry exhibition, meet with members of CIBA, Californian Indian Basketry Association and finally attend the four-day convention of the National Basketry Organisation.
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Lise received financial support for this trip from UK Trade & Invest, The Scottish Arts Council and Develop Craft Ayrshire.
On her return she will be demonstrating and selling in the Countryside marquee at the Royal Highland show before she starts to prepare her work for Chelsea Craft Fair in October. | |