Letting the land weave the narrative
- Pip creates delicate, subtle sculptures from a variety of plants
- She forages her plants from her garden and the surrounding area
- Basketweaving is her second career, which she picked up as a passion project
Pip Rice is a basket maker specialising in delicate sculptural pieces. Hers are not the strong willow baskets traditionally associated with basket making, instead Pip uses plants foraged from her own garden and surrounding environs, to weave and sculpt. "I take my lead from what is offered by the land and environment," she explains. Having spent many years as a photographic stylist sourcing beautiful objects made by others, Pip had a yearning to create eye-catching items of her own. She began through experimentation and self teaching, going on to take a basketry course as City Lit. Today, her pieces are rooted in the traditions of basketweaving, however, the nature of the plants often determines the appearance of the final piece, and incidentally opens up new avenues for innovation.
Interview
- How did you learn your craft?
- I first learnt my craft by experimenting with foraged plant material. Then a two-year basketry course equipped me with a range of traditional techniques that I now combine with my own explorations.
- How would you describe your connection to materials?
- The materials I use connect me to the natural world and the seasons. Harnessing the unique and sustainable properties of nature, and working with plants that I have grown in my garden only strengthens that connection.
- How did you first begin working with seaweed?
- I was staying near a beach and there were very few plants around for me to forage. The abundance of seaweed was impossible to resist and after a challenging start, I discovered I was able to create small sculptural vessels with it.
- What do you love most about your profession?
- I am fortunate to be able to combine working in the studio with spending time in the garden growing my own weaving material. I am at my happiest when absorbed in the making process, especially at the experimental stage.
Pip Rice is a master artisan: she began her career in 2015 and she started teaching in 2018
