Daniel Benibghi

L’Oseraie

Basketweaver

Lola Moser ©Michelangelo Foundation

Upholding a local tradition

Daniel produces his own wicker
A skilful artist, he can also weld and work with leather
He has collaborated with Christian Lacroix

Basketry wasn’t always Daniel Benibghi’s calling in life. He started as a welder and later came up with the idea of designing a fishing basket in order to fish with his grandfather. He liked it enough to go on to study at the French National School of Wicker Production and Basketry in Fayl-Billot. He then started making baskets in his cellar and selling them in markets all over the Isère region. Today, he is a 'survivor'; the only basketmaker still practising in Vallabrègues, he is the living memory of an activity that used to make this little town in Provence shine. At the height of production, it counted up to 400 basketmakers. Today, Daniel feels privileged to perpetuate this tradition and bring it up to date.

Interview

Lola Moser ©Michelangelo Foundation

Lola Moser ©Michelangelo Foundation

How do your baskets express the past and modernity?: I use traditional shapes but play with the different colours of wicker or the different braiding points to create new patterns. When I use uncommon shapes, I am limited by the mechanical properties of wicker. It is traditional manual work, using a simple, ecological material.
Why did you decide to start your own wicker production?: It is imperative to have good wicker to make good quality baskets. People know little about the culture of wicker and the whole process that makes it usable. They often mistakenly think that it is collected from the wild when it is actually a long process requiring real know-how.
How did you collaborate with Christian Lacroix?: I was asked to make a 'Tarasque' (a local mythical creature) for the castle of Tarascon designed by Christian Lacroix. I was very touched when I received his congratulations. It is undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of my career.
When is a basket well made?: When the customer is satisfied and tells me “This is exactly what I wanted” or when the object is beautiful to look at. Also, when the quality of my work is recognised by my profession. Professional basketry requires you to master the basic techniques as well as a certain speed and efficiency.

Daniel Benibghi is an expert artisan he began his career in 1986