The nobility of rush weaving
- Anna works in the family workshop with her father and brother
- She preserves the ancient tradition of rush weaving
- Her innovative creations mix rush with other materials
Anna Siciliano and her family have been running a weaving workshop in their small village at the very south-east end of Italy for four generations now. They are today the only ones still preserving what was once a common craft, involving almost all of the local population: men for collecting the raw materials from the marshes and weaving harder fibres, and women for rush weaving, which requires greater dexterity. Anna is heiress to this ancient, endangered tradition that she learned from her mother. Her innovative and singular creations are her way of seducing today's clientèle, with a fascinating mix of traditional techniques and contemporary designs. She blends her rush-woven basketry with other materials such as precious metals, leather and handwoven fabrics.
Interview
- Is there a link between your craft and your territory?
- Until a few decades ago, almost 80% of the women here used to weave rushes, and the men were the ones collecting the raw material in the marshes. But now most of these natural habitats do not even exist anymore. It is a highly endangered craft, that my family attempts to preserve.
- How do you innovate such a traditional craft?
- I design and craft pieces mixing rush with other materials to make the pieces more precious. I work with natural leather, handwoven fabrics and metals, like silver and copper, to create useful objects and sophisticated accessories, decorative items or sculptures.
- What is your creative process?
- For me weaving is an overwhelming passion. When I begin on a piece I am completely immersed in the making, I don’t sleep and I don’t eat until I am done. I create one-of-a-kind pieces in non-traditional shapes, trying to express myself while ennobling what was once a humble craft.
- What is the role of your family in relation to rush weaving today?
- The weaving techniques that I use were taught to me by my mother. My brother weaves harder materials, like bamboo, myrtle, willow, olive tree branches. My father, who still works with us, crafts all the shapes that are part of our small museum.
Anna Siciliano is a master artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2016
Where
Anna Siciliano
