Joanna Gilmour, basket maker

Naomi Jones finds out how former ballet dancer Joanna Gilmour discovered a new outlet for her creativity.

ABOVE (left-right): This ‘tree creature’ clings to a branch; Joanna in the garden where she grows her own materials.

Tell us about your childhood years.
I was born and brought up in Barbados and spent most of my time outdoors, which has certainly affected my work as an adult. Then I became a professional ballet dancer, which really got my creative juices flowing.

How did you discover your love of basket making?
After giving up dancing I applied for a job working with adults with special needs. As part of the application, we all had to do workshops that involved making baskets using materials such as willow; suddenly, I was able to transfer my ballet skills to my mind and hands.

Did you have any further, more in-depth training?
Yes, although I didn’t get the job, the craft was so enjoyable I enrolled in a two-year City and Guilds course in London and then an art foundation at Oxford Brookes.

Who has been your greatest influence?
I’ve had some inspiring teachers over the years, in particular Mary Butcher who ran the City and Guilds course. She creates remarkable pieces and has helped a generation of makers develop their passions.

ABOVE: Geometric vessels showcase Joanna's weaving skills.

What inspires your designs?
Early life forms and simple structures made up of hexagons and pentagons, which show how complex and pleasing shapes all begin from very basic origins. As Charles Darwin wrote: ‘…from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.’

Do you have your own studio?
Yes, it’s at the back of our house in East Oxford, and overlooks the garden where my willow and New Zealand flax are grown. It feels very therapeutic inside, and there’s a lovely smell as it’s also where I store my willow, bark and other weaving materials that all give off a divine, earthy scent.

Which piece are you most proud of?
My Darwinian series, which look like creatures in glass; but I know I can take them further.

ABOVE (left-right): Joanna says that creating shapes is like a dance performed with her hands; Natural tones come through in this platter; Her sculptures have a touch of colour and fun.

Have you had any unusual commissions?
Some of my larger structures were part of an exhibition in the grounds of a 14th-century chapel near my home; it’s a very tranquil place, and the antiquity of the site made it a great place to show my work.

Who is your biggest champion?
I recently did an exhibition at The Conran Shop: Polly Dickens, the creative director, wanted to showcase my work in the store as part of the company’s Handcrafted in Britain event; that was very flattering.

What tips do you have for budding craftspeople?
Find out what you want to do by trying out as many different things as possible.

Joanna can be contacted via Conran on 020 7591 8712 or at theconranshop.co.uk. Mary Butcher runs willow-weaving courses at West Dean College (westdean.org.uk); basketassoc.org has details of courses across the UK.

WORDS NAOMI JONES
Featured in the June 2011 issue of Period Living