The Baskets of Britain at the Whitby Hotel

Launched in 2015 as part of London’s international design fair, Decorex, the Baskets of Britain project by The New Craftsmen celebrated Britain’s distinct basket making heritage. Each basket was rooted in practice and place, echoing local culture and histories, and visually demonstrating the diversity of our tiny island.

Collaborating with master basket maker Hilary Burns, we commissioned 20 different basket makers from all corners of the British Isles – England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland – to create regionally distinctive baskets.

Subsequently, the complete installation was bought by The Firmdale Hotel Group, and installed above the bar at the Whitby Hotel, New York, as a key feature and expression of British craft.

Months of research and development resulted in an installation consisting of 52 baskets in 22 different varieties, resulting in an array of works, exploring different materials and weave structures, from coiled baskets made in the Shetlands to trugs from Sussex.

QUOTE FROM KIT KEMP

“The New Craftsmen brings together so many top Artists and Craftsmen who with a little coordination can make any design project unique and imaginative. The New Craftsmen are so full of ideas and possibilities on how to use the expertise of their craftspeople and artists. It makes the work of Designers and Architects a joy and pleasure.”

Project Details
PARTNER: Firmdale Hotel Group
PROJECT: The Baskets of Britain
DATE: 2015 to 2018