Mary Butcher, Craft Council Designer Resident at the V&A, July - December 2009
Mary Butcher is an artist basketmaker who uses natural materials, plastics, wire, strings, cardboard strips and paper to make containers and sculptures in a wide variety of scales and forms. She has a strong interest in the transmission of her craft, teaching it widely both in the UK and internationally. Mary was Crafts Council Designer in Residence at the V&A between July and December 2009.
Visit Mary Butcher's residency blog (archived)
Mary Butcher trained with a traditional basketmaker using willow and rush, making functional items for local markets, but a Research Fellowship at Manchester Metropolitan University alerted Mary to a wealth of new possibilities with a wider range of materials. A solo show at Hove Museum and Art Gallery in 1998 gave her to scope to begin her experimental journey. A request from the jeweller Onno Boekhoudt to fill the Nationaal Vlechtmuseum in the Netherlands gave her a free hand. She used a range of plant materials for installations on a large scale, interweaving Cycad leaves, making small bags, and creating a series of unconventional drawings with a wide variety of materials. Further European and UK shows have followed, each allowing Mary to explore concerns with line and form, reflecting her interest in calligraphy and the nature of the materials themselves.
Special projects have involved working with The Big Issue sellers in Manchester, and children excluded from schools, both primary and secondary. Mary was recently commissioned by Hampton Court Palace to produce a copy of a pair of early 18th-century German baskets held in the V&A.
Sea CreatureWillow. Waxed linen. Willow barkFor 'European Baskets' Irish Crafts Council 2009 - presentPhoto: Roland Paschhoff
Sea Creature
Willow. Waxed linen. Willow bark
For 'European Baskets' Irish Crafts Council 2009 - present
Photo: Roland Paschhoff
Willow Knot NecklaceWillowWhile Artist in Residence, West Dean College2008 Photo Jacqui Hurst
Willow Knot Necklace
Willow
While Artist in Residence, West Dean College
2008
Photo Jacqui Hurst
Willow Scribble TracingWhite willowCambridge University Botanic Garden 2001Photo: Howard Rice
Willow Scribble Tracing
White willow
Cambridge University Botanic Garden 2001
Photo: Howard Rice
Sea Net detail
Sea Net detail
Ruched Rush BagRush, waxed linen thread2007For The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers to give to their principleguest.Photo: Mike Waterman
Ruched Rush Bag
Rush, waxed linen thread
2007
For The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers to give to their principle
guest.
Photo: Mike Waterman
Sea CreaturePlastic covered wire, waxed linen thread
Sea Creature
Plastic covered wire, waxed linen thread, poelute cane
2007
Bought by the South East Arts Craft Collection, Hove Museum and Art Gallery
2008
Photo Jacqui Hurst
Detail:Sea CreatureWillow, waxed linen threadBought by the South East Arts Craft Collection
Detail:
Sea Creature
Willow, waxed linen thread
Bought by the
South East Arts Craft Collection, Hove Museum andArt Gallery 2008
Photo: Jacqui Hurst
Natural Line: the LightWillow, waxed linen threadWest Dean Art Gallery and Stroud International Textile Festival 2008
Natural Line: the Light
Willow, waxed linen thread
West Dean Art Gallery and Stroud International Textile Festival 2008, 2009
Photo: Jacqui Hurst
Bark NetWillow barksFor 'Made to Think' West Dean Gallery2008Photo Jacqui Hurst
Bark Net
Willow barks
For 'Made to Think' West Dean Gallery
2008
Photo Jacqui Hurst
Birch Bark Bag :silver with hidden goldBirch bark, waxed linen threadFor 'Basketry Carte Blanche'Nationaal Vlechtmuseum
Birch Bark Bag :silver with hidden gold
Birch bark, waxed linen thread
For 'Basketry Carte Blanche'
Nationaal Vlechtmuseum,Netherlands 2003
Photo: Mike Waterman
Natural Line, an installation by Mary Butcher and Tim JohnsonWillow
Natural Line, an installation by Mary Butcher and Tim Johnson
Willow, Vitis cognitiae
The Rope Store, Quay Arts, Isle of Wight summer 2007
Photo: Bunty Ball
This residency was sponsored by the Crafts Council.
Interactive Map
Discover the many treasures in the beautiful V&A galleries, find out where events are happening in the Museum or just check the location of the café, shops, lifts or toilets. Simple to use, the V&A interactive map works on all screen sizes, from your tablet or smartphone to your desktop at home.
Launch the Interactive Map
