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May Issue 2003
Summit One Gallery in Highlands, NC, Features Works by Billie Ruth Sudduth and Clay Burnette
Summit One Gallery in
Highlands, NC, will present the exhibition, Baskets to beHold,
from May 24 through June 25, 2003. The exhibition will feature
works by two well known and extraordinary basket weavers, Billie
Ruth Sudduth and Clay Burnette.
Billie Ruth
Sudduth
Sudduth began her career
in basketry by taking a summer basket course at a local community
college just to have something "fun to do". She knew
after the first fifteen minutes of the first class what her life's
work was to be. Sudduth bases all of her baskets on "The
Nature Sequence," also known as "Fibonacci Numbers,"
developed by Leonardo of Pisa (Italy) (ca 1170-1250). Because
Fibonacci Numbers approach infinity, the design possibilities
are unlimited. She wants to expand the possibilities of design
while maintaining function.
"This object called a basket should look like a basket and
not be so far removed from form and function that it is not discernible
as a basket," says Sudduth. She continues, "Seneca said
that art imitates nature. Whether viewed as art or craft, my baskets
demonstrate this. The weaving utilizes a mathematical structure
of spiral growth found in nature to create baskets with a rhythmic,
naturally flowing design. They are both visual and tactile, beckoning
the viewer to touch and explore with eyes and hands. I do not
separate myself from nature but through my weaving, affirm being
a part of it".
Sudduth's "style"
has become her own and has caught the eye of museum curators and
collectors across the country. Her baskets are included in the
permanent collections of The Renwick Gallery of The Smithsonian
Institution; the American Craft Museum in New York; Charles A.
Wustum Museum of Fine Art in Racine, WI; and the Mint Museum of
Craft + Design in Charlotte, NC. They are also included in numerous
corporate and private collections. In 1997, Sudduth was bestowed
North Carolina's highest honor. She was named a "Living Treasure
of North Carolina". This award is presented to one craftsman
every other year. She is only the tenth recipient and the first
female to be honored.
Clay Burnette,
detail
Clay Burnette practices
the traditional basketmaker's philosophy of using indigenous materials
but strives to create meticulous, rhythmic forms which are spontaneous
and free of tradition. Burnette is one of only a few craftsmen
who create pine needle baskets by coiling long-leaf pine needles;
a craft that can not be reproduced by a machine. He learned this
craft from an older South Carolina woman who wove baskets as a
hobby. She taught him one stitch a week until she had taught him
everything she knew; then she stopped weaving baskets because
she felt like she had passed on the tradition to another generation.
Burnette collects pine needles once a month, taking the long leaf
needles straight from the tree and only as many as he will use.
Then he allows the needles to dry for a month or two, to prevent
the pine sap from swelling after the basket is made. The needles
are then cleaned, divided and then dyed in various colors, and
dried again. Before Burnette begins to create a basket he soaks
the needles one more time to make them pliable. His tools are
a needle, waxed linen thread (sometimes, copper or brass or telephone
wire) and a pair of scissors. Occasionally he'll use glass beads
or natural stones to embellish his baskets.
The only decision Burnette makes on how the basket will look after
completion is whether it will be round or oval. He allows the
needles to take the creative direction. After the basket is finished
he enhances their structure and stability with an application
of beeswax and paraffin, this protects them and makes a hard surface.
Burnette's first entry to a juried show was to the Smithsonian's
Craft Show in 1983. An annual juried show that accepts only 100
craftsmen from across the country. He was accepted and realized
that what he was doing was truly unique. Since then many museums
and collectors have taken notice.
Burnette's long-leaf pine needle baskets are included in the White House Collection; the Mint Museum of Craft + Design; the Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, SC; the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, SC; the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC; and many other private and corporate collections.
Burnette will give a
Gallery Talk on May 25, starting at 2pm. The event is free and
all are welcome.
For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings,
call the gallery at 828/526-2673 or e-mail at (summitonegallery@aol.com).
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