Re-Making the Past

Artists and designers constantly look to the past for inspiration - whether they adopt a technique, adapt a colour palette or study a particular style or era, the challenge of recreating and reinventing is often at the core of their practice. The latest exhibition at the Crafts Study Centre in Surrey, Re-Making the Past by the Devon Guild of Craftsmen celebrates a fascination with ancient craft techniques and the fine line between archaeology and the visual arts. Six makers will exhibit work in a variety of media from natural fibres, resin, ceramic and metal to enamels, glass and textiles. For us Mary Butcher, an artist basketmaker who works in both traditional and contemporary mediums really stands out. Mary who originally specialised in willow and rush, went on to complete a Fellowship in Basket Making at Manchester Metropolitan University and has since become  more experimental in her approach – using leaves, bark, wire, plastic, string, and paper to make large scale installations shown throughout the UK and Europe. She is passionate about sharing her love of this ancient craft and is also a teacher, writer and curator. For this exhibition, she has explored the boat form and "ideas of natural navigation". Find your way to the exhibition at the Crafts Study Centre in Surrey from the 9th June - 18th July 2015. For more information on tickets and visiting times visit: www.csc.ucreative.ac.uk