Annie Zylstra
Willow Basketry
Instagram
Statement:
For me, basketry is a lived act of land connection and regeneration. Cultivating a relationship with the beautiful willows native to the Driftless region is the primary joy and requirement of my work as a wild willow weaver. In this form, I have found basketry to be a meeting ground for beauty, function, play, practicality, and ecosystem repair, all in one craft. From sculptural work to woven backpacks, these baskets are the brightly hued culmination of a love for place, a desire to be in service to these beautiful valleys as they turn from living plants into vessels for human use in my hands.
Statement:
For me, basketry is a lived act of land connection and regeneration. Cultivating a relationship with the beautiful willows native to the Driftless region is the primary joy and requirement of my work as a wild willow weaver. In this form, I have found basketry to be a meeting ground for beauty, function, play, practicality, and ecosystem repair, all in one craft. From sculptural work to woven backpacks, these baskets are the brightly hued culmination of a love for place, a desire to be in service to these beautiful valleys as they turn from living plants into vessels for human use in my hands.
