Ellen Solari

MY SCULPTURAL BASKETS COMBINE TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL MATERIALS CREATING A PARADOX BETWEEN THE EXPECTED AND UNEXPECTED. TRADITIONAL BASKETRY TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS COILING AND SIMPLE WEAVING, ARE INTERTWINED WITH RUSTED WIRE, OLD RUBBER TUBING AND OTHER FOUND OBJECTS. THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN TEXTURE, COLOR AND MATERIALS IS IMPORTANT. MY INTENT IS TO CREATE A SENSE OF MYSTERY AND UNEASE. WORKING WITH MY HANDS IS CENTRAL TO MY ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. THE TACTILE EXPERIENCE OF MANIPULATING MATERIALS IS WHAT MAKES CREATING SO COMPELLING TO ME.