Geraldine Jones

Statement

My work originates in the craft of basketry and an appreciation of basketweaving techniques and weavable materials. These elements provide an infinite source of inspiration and ideas. Despite being one of the initial prehistoric skills, basketweaving has since occupied a humble position in society whilst the potential for using basketry techniques in other disciplines has been largely overlooked. My recent work with stainless steel wire rope developed from a reflection on the fragility of past basketry and a hope that the many techniques found worldwide will find a place in future societies. Over the past few years I have been working with the group Forces in Translation exploring and developing work connecting handcrafting and mathematics.

Artworks

I have been working with mathematicians to develop mathematical models. When I came across the concept of a Möbius strip with a 90 degree twist I found it a challenge to comprehend. To understand it I used basketry skills to weave a wire rope model. I added the hyperbolic edge for fun. Four revolutions around the single edge are needed to return to the starting point. The number of loops between each clips is equivalent to the number on each side of the double row of loops which forms the initial strip before the quarter turn intersection I have used a cycloid looping technique still used in Sarawak and Kalimantan to weave back-pack burden baskets with rattan.