seen at sofa: jan hopkins’ sculptural baskets

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I’ve been intrigued by Jan Hopkins’ work for years, first posting about it in 2006 on The Empty Vessel.  Hopkins uses natural materials to create narrative, innovative, sculptural baskets that seem to have a life of their own.

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Fish Out of Water
sturgeon skin, halibut skin, salmon skin, waxed linen, bull kelp, ostrich shell beads

As I walked toward the Jane Sauer Gallery booth at SOFA NY, I immediately knew that I was looking at Hopkins’ baskets and I was speechless.  The texture, quality of design and craftsmanship made these pieces far more satisfying than any images I had seen.

Admiring Hopkins’ work, From the SOFA NY slideshow

Age of Innocence
lunaria annua, skeleton leaves, preserved leaves, cardioiocinum giganteum seeds, yellow cedar bark, waxed linen paper

Training from master basket makers in traditional techniques gave Hopkins the comfort level she needed to expand her definition of ‘basket making materials’.  Today she combines alternative materials such as citrus peels, sturgeon skin, black bamboo, silver dollar seed pods and lotus pod tops with more common basket making materials and as she stitches them together, she also weaves together the stories, dreams and desires that go along with each piece.

Law of Identity
melon rind, weathered hydrangea leaves, silver dollar pods, yellow cedar bark

Jan Hopkins in her studio

Hopkins was represented at SOFA NY by Jane Sauer Gallery.
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5 Responses to seen at sofa: jan hopkins’ sculptural baskets
  1. Nancy Bissonnette
    April 21, 2010 | 10:58 pm

    Always love seeing what Jan is up to. She has so inspiried me over the years.

  2. Ron Ho
    April 22, 2010 | 2:06 pm

    Jan your work is always not only beautiful, but totally amazing in their construction and use of materials. Great work!

  3. Kerin Gale
    May 13, 2010 | 10:56 am

    Her ‘Fish Out Of Water’ is quite mesmerizing! I left that page up on my browser and keep going back to look. There’s just something about it that keeps calling me back.

  4. Cindi Quigley
    February 14, 2011 | 10:59 pm

    Hi Jan, Just came across your photos of “Tolerance” -Shoes-
    Do you have them displayed on any web sites? Would love to send them to friends. Also “Yes we can” Have told so many people about them. You are still the best artist I have ever known. Come to think about it so is Chris!

  5. Jan Hopkins
    July 1, 2011 | 11:50 am

    Hi Cindi,

    Thanks so much for your kind comments.

    Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I have a blog that I post announcements. I also have a page on facebook “Jan Hopkins Alternative Materials” I have most of my current work posted in the photos.

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